This is the wrong approach. It is thinking too damned small. The much better approach would be to get a National Stroke Plan out there. That would allow for creating a strategy to address all the
problems in stroke rather than this scattershot approach. If we don't know what the hell problem we are trying to solve we will never get there. The Stroke Plan could easily be modeled after the
National Alzheimers Plan. Repealing therapy caps will not solve the problem that only
10% get to full recovery. To help the most patients you are going to have to stop the
neuronal cascade of death. It is appalling that the NSA doesn't even have any strategy to help stroke survivors. You can contact the president of the NSA (Matt Lopez) directly via mlopez@stroke.org and ask when a National Stroke Plan will be delivered to Congress for voting.
Dear Friend,
![Take action](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vQdDuOM7vO82YuBuEPJLgY_rYBmBerP3Lwrhb19KbwdWYyvc--Kzhsgq86gJzjRIQhWcOldRb-UH5upU-jPmB9u-aoDNSEkj9Wauqqf0zQSGnp6BRcAzXrGP9bDPVuT3jwn3lRDeLH-ndvTRHSapNtgA=s0-d)
The
114
th Congress gaveled into session on January 6, 2015.
The first few weeks of Congress are spent organizing the committees and setting
the legislative agenda for the following months. During this early planning
period, it is vital that we remind Congress of the challenges stroke
survivors face and the legislative remedies that address these challenges.
In
the short term, the Medicare therapy caps will be an important priority for the
stroke community. There is a process that allows patients to receive outpatient
services beyond the caps, but it is set to expire on March 31, 2015. Now is the
time for Congress to repeal the therapy caps and allow stroke survivors to
receive the medically required amount of outpatient therapy they need.
In
the long term, several bills will be introduced soon to provide relief to
stroke survivors and their loved ones. The coming legislation will create a tax
credit for caregiving expenses, promote return to work practices, and increase
access to stroke treatment centers through telemedicine.
Please ask you members
to co-sponsor the legislation as the bills are introduced in both chambers.
We’ve
provided everything you’ll need to
contact your members of Congress, including
a draft letter for you to personalize. Reaching out to your legislators will
take only a moment and will ensure the stroke community’s priorities are at the
top of the 114
th Congress’ agenda.
Sincerely,
![Signature of Angie Baker](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tcLV_RCtXwETHrJ0QExlEVWJoxb-4qZjFGAWSt6EiAmvcVl9zYnTAwiwMh7yGaUJURY7_tvGA7pqt2sIFrcCCDxMXJ6NixHfq185n5z6a6CtvPBQaxFYb1e6q2_PFVFSYHIuDX5sJe_OfpXEI=s0-d)
Angie Baker
Manager, Policy Advocacy
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