Monthly Archives: December 2008
Health Care Reform Efforts Already Underway
The outcomes of the recent November election have dramatically changed the political landscape in Washington, D.C., and a number of factors have come together to create the best opportunity for reforming the nation’s health care system in well over a decade. In short, it is a realistic possibility that major health care reform of some kind could be enacted in 2009. Certainly, there will be no shortage of serious efforts by the nation’s policymakers to overhaul the health care system as we know it today, and several proposals are already circulating.
111th Congress Expected to Pass Economic Stimulus Legislation Quickly
This week, Democrats continued to lay groundwork for an economic stimulus bill to be considered soon after the new Congress convenes.
The House Appropriations Committee held a hearing on the anticipated economic recovery bill, which Democratic leaders intend to introduce in January. The hearing featured a number of governors, who made the case for increased aid to states to be included in such a stimulus bill.
FY09 Appropriations Action Anticipated in January
Appropriators in both chambers have reportedly been working on conference negotiations over the last few weeks for the Fiscal Year 2009 (FY09) funding bills.
In response to hearing that Appropriations Committees were indeed conferencing the FY09 Labor-HHS-Educations funding bill, BIAA joined other stakeholder organizations in circulating a sign-on letter calling for increased funding for TBI programs in FY09. Earlier this week, this letter was delivered to the leaders of both the House and Senate Labor-HHS-Educations Subcommittees on Appropriations.
Brain-injured troops face long-term risks
A recent post on MSN shows how 22 percent of Iraq vets are affected by traumatic head wounds. War related brain injury is a critical issue facing many veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts. Issues range not only from the wounds themselves, but the post traumatic stress that develops as a result of being critically injured.
Congress Is Working on TBI Funding Right Now!
Right now both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees are reportedly working on the Fiscal 2009 Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS), and Education Appropriations bill in anticipation of action on the bill as soon as the new legislative session begins in January. This bill provides federal funding for multiple TBI programs, as well as important trauma care programs.
