Session Preview

Thank you to the You’re the Cure NC advocates that joined me yesterday for our legislative session preview call.  Today I wanted to provide everyone with a brief overview of our discussion.  As a reminder I am always just a phone call, text message, Facebook post or email away, so if you have questions and/or ideas don’t hesitate to contact me.

This legislative session presents us with great challenges and incredible opportunities.  It is all what we make of it. The NC General Assembly is comprised of 170 lawmakers and nearly 80 are first time lawmakers. More than 20 others are only in their second terms.  And our Governor and Lt. Governor are also serving for the first time in statewide office. This means that our elected leaders will suddenly be faced with making decisions that have a great impact on our state on a wide range of issues.  Your job as a member of You’re the Cure is to help educate them about heart disease and stroke, the issues we are working on and why they are so important to building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.  Now more than ever your voice, your story and building a relationship with your lawmakers are keys to our success. 

Our key issues for the 2013 session are:

• Requiring all newborns to be screened for congenital heart defects using pulse oximetry before they are discharged from the birthing center.  We are working closely now with lawmakers to be ready to have legislation introduced early in the session.  You can help today by taking action.
• Promoting legislation that will designate Primary Stroke Centers in NC as those health care systems that have certification based on Joint Commission/American Stroke Association accreditation or an equivalent process by a guidelines-based, nationally recognized accrediting organization.
• Secure dedicated funding for tobacco use prevention and cessation programs.

Stay tuned to this blog and your email for more information, action alerts and opportunities for you to be an active advocate.  As a reminder:  State Lobby Day is February 25-26 this year – if you haven’t contacted Kacie Kennedy, ([email protected]) for your registration packet, do so today.  This year’s event will be one not to miss.

Here’s to a successful legislation session.  Let us know how we can help you be a strong advocate this year – send us your comments and questions below!