A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS to the Department of Health and Human Services FOR STRIKE OUT STROKE EDUCATION and public awareness ACTIVITIES, as recommended by the heart disease and stroke prevention task force.
Whereas, high blood pressure is the leading cause of stroke; and
Whereas, stroke is the 3rd leading cause of death in North Carolina; and
Whereas, North Carolina has the fourth highest stroke death rate in the United States; and
Whereas, the eastern counties of North Carolina, the coastal plains region of Georgia, and South Carolina have consistently had the very highest stroke death rates in the nation for the past 30 years; and
Whereas, stroke is a major public health issue among all of North Carolina's racial and ethnic groups; and
Whereas, 80% of all strokes are estimated to be preventable; and
Whereas, an analysis of the economic burden of stroke estimated conservatively that stroke costs North Carolina $1.05 billion annually; and
Whereas, the Strike Out Stroke Program was originally funded through a pilot grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institute of Health to address hypertension in high risk groups; and
Whereas, the Strike Out Stroke Program has received nonrecurring State funds for the last six years to provide patient education, professional education, and public awareness; and
Whereas, if State funds are provided on a recurring basis, then matching federal funds may become available on a five‑to‑one basis to enhance program activities and effectiveness; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, the sum of two hundred twenty‑five thousand dollars ($225,000) for the 2005‑2006 fiscal year and the sum of two hundred twenty‑five thousand dollars ($225,000) for the 2006‑2007 fiscal year to enhance program activities and effectiveness of the Strike Out Stroke Program.  It is the intent of the General Assembly that these funds shall be appropriated on a recurring basis in order to draw down available federal matching funds for the Strike Out Stroke Program.
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2005.