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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski |
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Pashinski/Reichley bill to expand heart and stroke program
approved by House Health and Human Services Committee
HARRISBURG, Aug. 26 – State Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Luzerne, said the House Health and Human Services Committee today approved legislation he co-wrote with Rep. Doug Reichley, R-Lehigh, that would expand Pennsylvania's heart disease and stroke program.
Pashinski said the legislation (H.B. 816) would expand the program already in place to provide more information on the prevention and treatment of heart disease and stroke. The program is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
"This is the first step in trying to initiate new processes that deal with training emergency medical technicians and having best practices throughout hospitals in Pennsylvania that deal specifically with heart and stroke diseases," Pashinski said.
Reichley said prevention is the key factor in decreasing cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
"The better educated the public is about stroke symptoms, onset and prevention strategies, the better success of early treatment," Reichley said.
Pashinski said the bill would establish a 20-member heart disease and stroke advisory committee, which would include the secretaries of Aging, Health and Public Welfare, and the Insurance commissioner. In addition, medical professionals and community representatives would be appointed to the advisory committee by the secretary of Health.
The Luzerne County legislator said he is hopeful the House will vote on the bill soon.
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