Luján Champions Legislation to Strengthen Stroke Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a stroke survivor, introduced the Stroke Act, legislation to improve stroke prevention, treatment, recovery, and data collection across the United States. The legislation would invest in research, strengthen emergency response and rehabilitation services, expand access to telestroke care, establish a national stroke registry, and launch a nationwide public education campaign to help people recognize stroke symptoms and seek lifesaving treatment. Stroke remains one of the nation’s most pressing public health challenges. Someone in the United States experiences a stroke every 40 seconds, making stroke the fourth-leading cause of death and a leading cause of serious long-term disability. Rapid identification and treatment significantly improve survival and recovery outcomes, yet the quality and availability of stroke care continue to vary across communities. These disparities are particularly severe in rural and underserved areas, where patients often face limited access to specialized stroke care, rehabilitation services, coordinated systems of care, and telestroke technology. “Every second matters when someone experiences a stroke. As a stroke survivor, I know firsthand how critical it is to receive the right care at the right time. Yet far too many Americans, especially in our rural and underserved communities, continue to face barriers to timely, high-quality care,” said Senator Luján . “My Stroke Act invests in research, strengthens emergency response systems, and equips communities with the tools they need to improve stroke care from prevention through recovery. This legislation will help save lives, reduce preventable disability, and ensure more Americans can access the care they need when every minute counts.” “This legislation would increase our understanding of stroke care, improve the quality of stroke treatment delivered to communities nationwide and ultimately save lives,” said Mark Schoeberl, Executive Vice President of Advocacy of the American Heart Association . “Someone dies of a stroke every 3 minutes and 14 seconds in the United States, yet many strokes can be prevented, and recognizing the warning signs can help save lives. We thank Sen. Luján for turning his personal experience with stroke into action by championing this legislation.” Specifically, the Stroke Act would: Authorize $3 million annually for five years for the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke to support research on improving stroke care, including post-acute and emergency room care. Authorize $10 million annually for five years for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to establish and maintain a national stroke registry that supports standardized, confidential data collection across states. Authorize $10 million annually for five years for CDC grants to strengthen systems of stroke care by improving emergency medical services training, pre-hospital protocols, post-stroke rehabilitation, care coordination, and access to telestroke services. Authorize $2 million annually for five years for CDC to conduct a national stroke prevention and education campaign focused on helping Americans recognize stroke symptoms and seek immediate medical treatment. The legislation is endorsed by the American Heart Association, Adult Congenital Heart Association, and the American Stroke Association. The Stroke Act is cosponsored by Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.). Full bill text is available here . ###