Healthcare Reform Tops Agenda for Hundreds of Heart Disease and Stroke Survivors on Ca...( American Heart Association advocates ...),Health

American Heart Association advocates call on Congress to pass meaningful health reform and increase funding for research and prevention

WASHINGTON, April 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With millions of Americans struggling with the rising costs of health insurance and health care, heart and stroke survivors, youth advocates and researchers from across the country today urged Congress to make a commitment to pass meaningful health reform. They met with their representatives for the American Heart Association's (AHA) Congressional Lobby Day, You're the Cure on the Hill 2009, to build support for health reform and boost funding for research and prevention programs to fight cardiovascular diseases, the nation's No. 1 killer. AHA President Timothy Gardner, M.D., President-Elect Clyde Yancy, M.D., CEO Nancy Brown also met with House and Senate leadership.

"Heart disease and stroke survivors have a lot at stake in efforts to reform the health care system," said Timothy Gardner, M.D., President of the American Heart Association. "Patients with cardiovascular disease should not have to go without health insurance because of pre-existing conditions. Affordable coverage should be available to all Americans."

Fifteen percent of non-elderly adults with cardiovascular disease are uninsured and many with insurance struggle with the high costs of care. The uninsured with cardiovascular disease have a higher rate of death following a heart attack or stroke, compared to those with insurance.

Nearly 500 advocates called on their representatives to also increase funding for the National Institutes of Health and the CDC's Heart Disease. Specific asks included:

• Pass meaningful health reform this year.
• Appropriate $32.4 billion for the National Institutes of Health for fiscal year '10.
• Appropriate $74 million for the Centers for Disease C
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