Monthly Archives: March 2008
BIAA Legislative Action Alert
Recently, the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) appears to be deemphasizing medical rehab research, including valuable research related to TBI. BIAA is working as part of a coalition of advocacy groups to send NIDRR a message that resources for medical rehabilitation research (referred to by NIDRR as “health and function” research) needs to be increased, not decreased. We need your help!
Brain Injury Awareness Day Held on Capitol Hill
Also this week, on Wednesday, March 12, the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) joined the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force, and a variety of other advocacy groups, in successfully conducting Brain Injury Awareness Day on Capitol Hill. The day’s events drew the participation of several Members of Congress and their staff.
The first event of the day was the Brain Injury Awareness Fair, which was held in the foyer of the Rayburn House Office Building, and featured exhibits by numerous brain injury services and advocacy organizations. BIAA’s exhibit was highlighted by a colorful display of hundreds of “brain cranes,” hand-crafted by individuals with TBI from all over the nation. More information on the Brain Crane project, including a picture of the beautiful display, is available on the homepage of BIAA’s website at www.biausa.org.
The day also featured a very well-attended Congressional Briefing on the subject of “TBI and Community Needs.” The briefing included the perspectives of returning servicemembers with TBI and their families, as well as views from the civilian perspective, and explored the need for increasing collaborative efforts between the military and civilian sectors when it comes to TBI treatment, research, and services – including community supports.
The day finished with an evening reception held in a spirit of celebration, which honored Congressional leaders on TBI issues, including Congressional Brain Injury Task Force Co-Chairs Rep. Pascrell and Rep. Platts.
House Energy and Commerce Committee passed H.R. 1418
Yesterday afternoon, the full House Energy and Commerce Committee passed H.R. 1418, legislation to reauthorize the Traumatic Brain Injury Act.
Earlier this week, the Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Health approved the Traumatic Brain Injury Act of 2008 and forwarded it on for consideration by the full Committee. Now that the full Committee has passed the bill, the legislation is expected to be brought up on suspension for consideration on the House floor when Congress reconvenes after a two-week recess, which will begin on Monday.
The Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) wishes to thank Rep. Pascrell, Rep. Platts, as well as Rep. Pallone and Chairman Dingell, for swiftly moving this bill forward. In addition, BIAA enthusiastically thanks all of its grassroots advocates for both longstanding and recent efforts to support timely reauthorization of the TBI Act! This is a very positive development towards the goal of getting the TBI Act reauthorized before the end of this year, and a very exciting development for Brain Injury Awareness Month!
TBI Act Reauthorization Bill Approved by House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee!
Earlier this evening, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health approved the Traumatic Brain Injury Act of 2008 and forwarded it on for consideration by the full Committee. The bill which was passed by the Subcommittee tonight was a slightly amended version of H.R. 1418.
The bill is now ready to be taken up by the full House Energy and Commerce Committee. This is a very positive development towards the goal of getting the TBI Act reauthorized before the end of this year, and a very exciting development for Brain Injury Awareness Month!
Right at this moment, no further grassroots activity is needed, but please stay tuned to BIAA for more information as things move forward.
Updated Information for Brain Injury Awareness Day on Capitol Hill
Congressional Brain Injury Awareness Day
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Capitol Hill – Washington, D.C.
To celebrate March as Brain Injury Awareness Month, the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force is hosting a “2008 Brain Injury Awareness Day,” on Wednesday, March 12, 2008, on Capitol Hill.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
Brain Injury Awareness Fair
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
First Floor Foyer of the Rayburn House Office Building
Advocacy Training Session
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
1116 Longworth House Office Building
Congressional Briefing on “Traumatic Brain Injury and Community Needs”
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
H-137 United States Capitol Building
Congressional Reception Celebrating Brain Injury Awareness Day
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
1100 Longworth House Office Building
*Reception sponsored by National Brain Injury Treatment and Training Foundation (NBIRTT), the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA), the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) and the National Association of State Head Injury Administrators (NASHIA).
House and Senate Budget Committees Approve Fiscal 2009 Budget Resolutions
The House and Senate Budget Committees both passed fiscal 2009 budget resolutions this week which would provide significant increases for health discretionary programs.
House Passes Mental Health Parity Bill Endorsed by BIAA
Also this week, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1424, mental health parity legislation sponsored by Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) which would require health insurers to offer mental health benefits equal in cost and scope to medical and surgical benefits. BIAA issued an enthusiastic letter of endorsement for the bill shortly before it was considered on the House floor.
TBI Act Reauthorization Scheduled for Markup in House Committee
On Wednesday, March 5, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee announced its plans to markup the Reauthorization of the Traumatic Brain Injury Act (H.R. 1418) the following day, on Thursday, March 6. This development marks very positive progress towards the goal of getting the TBI Act reauthorized before the end of this year, a leading BIAA policy priority. BIAA Government Affairs Director Laura Schiebelhut attended the markup session yesterday, in anticipation of expected approval of the TBI Act reauthorization bill. Unfortunately, the TBI Act reauthorization bill was listed as the last of eight total bills to be considered during the markup, and the Subcommittee got stalled in its attempt to approve the first bill, which pertained to tobacco regulations.
The markup session has now been rescheduled for Tuesday, March 11.
BIAA will provide news and grassroots action alerts as developments warrant, but for now, no further grassroots activity is necessary.
Brain Injury Awareness Day On Capitol Hill – March 12, 2008
To celebrate March as Brain Injury Awareness Month, the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force is hosting a “2008 Brain Injury Awareness Day,” on Wednesday, March 12, 2008, on Capitol Hill. Multiple events are planned, which are designed to educate Members of Congress and their staff about brain injury.
These events include an Awareness Day Fair, which will feature exhibits and informational materials from individuals and organizations working in the field of brain injury. The day will also include a Congressional Briefing focused on the topic of “Traumatic Brain Injury and Community Needs.” The end of the day will feature an early-evening Congressional Reception sponsored by various national advocacy organizations, including the National Brain Injury Treatment and Training Foundation (NBIRTT), the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA), the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) and the National Association of State Head Injury Administrators (NASHIA).
In addition, an informal advocacy training session will be held in the morning, where information on this year’s federal legislative agenda priorities related to TBI will be distributed. Advocates attending the day’s events are encouraged to make appointments ahead of time to visit their representatives in Congress and to use these legislative agenda materials during meetings with lawmakers.
BIAA invites all advocates to attend “2008 Brain Injury Awareness Day” events, and to help educate Members of Congress and their staff. The Day also represents an important opportunity to network with others interested in helping increase brain injury awareness.
2008 Brain Injury Awareness Day Schedule of Events
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Brain Injury Awareness Fair
First Floor Foyer of the Rayburn House Office Building
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Advocacy Training Session
1116 Longworth House Office Building
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Congressional Briefing on “Traumatic Brain Injury and Community Needs”
1116 Longworth House Office Building
Early Evening – Congressional Reception Celebrating Brain Injury Awareness Day
TBD
Please RSVP by Monday, March 3, 2008, to Hope Mandel in Congressman Bill Pascrell’s office if you wish to attend and/or exhibit materials during the Awareness Fair. You may also contact Hope at (202) 225-5751 or Becky Wolfkiel in Congressman Platts’ office at (202) 225-5836 with questions or for more information.
In addition, as always, you may contact Laura Schiebelhut, BIAA’s Director of Government Affairs, at lschiebelhut@biausa.org, or 703-761-0750 ext. 637, for further clarification.
