Monthly Archives: September 2008
VA Issues Regulations To Improve Disability Rating System For TBI
Also of note this week was the Department of Veterans Affairs’ publication of a Final Rule to revise the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities to provide detailed and updated criteria for evaluating residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Appropriations Update
In response to the fact that no single Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 appropriations bill has been enacted this year, the House passed on Wednesday an omnibus continuing appropriations bill to fund most government programs – including TBI and trauma-related programs – at Fiscal 2008 (last year’s) levels until March 6, 2009.
House Passes The ADA Amendments Act of 2008; Clears Bill for President To Sign
On Thursday, September 18, the House of Representatives passed, and cleared for the President’s expected signature, The ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (S. 3406). This legislation to clarify and update the Americans with Disabilities Act has been widely supported by disability advocacy organizations, including BIAA.
TBI Stakeholders Circulate Organizational Sign-On Letters
BIAA joined several other TBI stakeholders this week in circulating organizational sign-on letters to gather support from other advocacy groups in urging key appropriators to provide increased funding for federal TBI programs.
Congressional Brain Injury Task Force Holds Briefing on Head Cases
On Tuesday, September 16, the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force held a well-attended briefing featuring a presentation by BIA of Oklahoma Vice President Michael Paul Mason, a brain injury case manager and author of Head Cases: Stories of Brain Injury and Its Aftermath.
Congressional Brain Injury Task Force Urges TRICARE to Cover Cognitive Rehabilitation
This week, the Co-Chairs of the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force, Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) and Rep. Todd Platts (R-PA) sent a letter, signed by over 60 House members from both parties, to Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates urging TRICARE coverage of cognitive rehabilitation.
Senate Passes The ADA Amendments Act of 2008
In addition, the Senate passed The ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (S. 3406) on Thursday, September 11. This legislation to clarify and update the Americans with Disabilities Act has been widely supported by disability advocacy organizations, including BIAA.
Fiscal Year 2009 Appropriations Update
This week, BIAA sent out a Legislative Action Alert, urging grassroots advocates to tell their elected officials in Congress to increase appropriations for federal TBI programs in the expected upcoming extended Continuing Resolution (CR).
House VA Health Subcommittee Considers Heroes at Home Act of 2007
The Brain Injury Association of America submitted formal testimony at a hearing held this week by the House Veterans Affairs Health Subcommittee. The hearing was held on Tuesday, September 9, and focused on several pieces of legislation, including H.R. 3051, The Heroes At Home Act of 2007, which BIAA has strongly endorsed.
Drug makers seek shield from lawsuits
In a case that could have broad implications for consumers, the Supreme Court this fall will consider barring liability claims involving medications approved by the FDA.
By David G. Savage, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
September 7, 2008
WASHINGTON — Bridget Robb was awakened last December by a powerful electric shock to her chest. “It was a jolt of electricity. It felt like being shot in the chest or being hit by lightning,” said the 34-year-old mother from a Philadelphia suburb.
She knew the cause of her agony. A device implanted in her chest was supposed to shock her, but only if her heart had quit. Instead, because of frayed wires, it misfired 31 times in 13 minutes.
