“AB 1220 is an important first step in the right direction. Cardiovascular disease and stroke are the number one and three killers of men and women in California. The Legislature must do everything to combat these devastating diseases,” Berg said.

AB 1220 directs the Department of Health Services to seek private funding from interested organizations, while utilizing the existing resources within the Department allocated to stroke and cardiovascular disease awareness. The completion of a State Master Plan will make California eligible for one million dollars per year in federal funds from the Center for Disease Control. These funds are currently unavailable to any state without a State Master Plan.

“Last year, the State left a million dollars in federal funds unclaimed for stroke and cardiovascular disease research. This money will again bypass California if we fail to develop a master plan and create an infrastructure for stroke and cardiovascular disease,” Berg said.

The Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke Task Force will be composed of 12 members who will be appointed by the Governor, President Pro Tem of the Senate, and the Speaker of the Assembly. The members of the Task Force shall be appointed by March 1, 2004, and will serve without compensation. The task force shall submit to the Legislature, the Governor, and the Department the State Master Plan by November 1, 2005.

The primary purpose of the task force is to create a comprehensive Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke Prevention and Treatment State Master Plan that contains recommendations to the Legislature, the Governor, and the Department that address policies which are effective in preventing, controlling, and treating risks for cardiovascular disease and stroke in California.

AB 1220 has the strong support of the American Heart Association and the California Medical Association. The bill is now headed to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.