A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A HYPERBARIC OXYGEN CHAMBER EQUIPPED STROKE TREATMENT AMBULANCE.
Whereas, North Carolina has one of the highest stroke rates in the United States; and
Whereas, in 2005 the total stroke hospital charges in North Carolina amounted to $540,000,000; and
Whereas, the only FDA‑approved medication for treatment of stroke is Tissue Plasminogen Activator (tPA); and
Whereas, the FDA imposes a three‑hour post‑stroke time limit for administration of tPA; and
Whereas, a Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber Equipped Stroke Treatment Ambulance would extend the three‑hour FDA-approved window for administration of tPA and produce a synergistic improvement of the positive benefit of tPA treatment resulting in better stroke treatment for thousands of North Carolina residents every year; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to Wake Forest University Health Sciences the sum of one million dollars ($1,000,000) for the 2009‑2010 fiscal year.  These funds shall be used for the development of a Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber Equipped Stroke Treatment Ambulance.
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2009.