Monthly Archives: May 2009
DCoE Launches Real Warriors Anti-Stigma Campaign
On Thursday May 21, 2009, The Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE) launched a public awareness campaign focused on combating the stigma associated with seeking care and treatment for psychological health and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
For more information, visit http://www.realwarriors.net/ . The Real Warriors Web site features articles and resources as well as video interviews with service members, their families and others dealing with psychological health and/or TBI.
BIAA has been an active partner in this campaign and will continue to work towards its success with the DCoE.
Senate Finance Committee Health Care Delivery System Comments
On Friday, May 15, 2009, BIAA submitted comments to the Senate Finance Committee in response to their proposed set of recommendations regarding health care delivery system reform.
BIAA expressed support for several recommendations with respect to the coordination of chronic conditions but also made clear within the submission that the organization is strongly opposed to the bundling of post-acute care as it applies to persons with brain injury.
To view the full document, click on the link below:
http://www.biausa.org/elements/policy/2009/biaa_finance_committee_response.pdf
Health Care Reform Update
This week the Senate Finance Committee engaged in three daylong sessions to discuss various policy options that may be included in a Health Care Reform bill later this year.
As reported by Congressional Quarterly, Senator Baucus, the Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, was not very enthusiastic when asked whether committee members had reached consensus on any issues. However, he did say that he sensed some common ground on broader issues and believes his committee is moving towards a “convergence” on these issues that are expected to be debated next month.
As always, BIAA will continue to monitor any health care reform related progress. If you have not yet taken action and emailed your Senators and Representatives regarding the brain injury guiding principles, you may still do so by clicking the following link:
http://capwiz.com/bia/home
Legislative Report April 2009
There are currently two bills working their way through the Assembly that of interest to the California brain injury community:
3rd Annual Greek Dinner & Dance For Thought
With the inviting sounds of Greek music by Synthesi, and the aroma of traditional Greek food by Thank Goodness It’s Sophia, over 190 attendees were on hand to be a part of the 3rd Annual Greek Dinner & Dance For Thought in Long Beach on March 7th.
Californian’s Walk For Thought in March for Brain Injury Awareness Month
The four Walk’s-for-Thought were a great success this year! Walker’s exceeded the donation goal of $50,000 to reach a remarkable $76,796. This milestone was achieved by the many walkers that solicited donations from their family and friends. Donations were received from all across the United States, and even a few from outside of the US. In reviewing the reports, only 1/3 of the walkers actively participated in the fund raising effort.
My Story from Counting the Days, Recovery
After I learned again to walk and talk, I broke windows, frustrated because words wouldn’t dislodge from my fractured brain. I put my fist through any type of glass, including a tough–to-break telephone booth. But my memory is weak on these points, even with my emotionally-challenged discovery of drawings and poetry, which I apparently had dictated to someone else long ago as evidenced by my words written in an unknown legible hand. I don’t recognize numerous scribbles of thin suggestions scrawled across aged paper.
Researchers Regenerate Axons Necessary
For the first time, researchers have clearly shown regeneration of a critical type of nerve fiber that travels between the brain and the spinal cord and which is required for voluntary movement.
The regeneration was accomplished in a brain injury site in rats by scientists at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and is described in a study published in the April 6th early on-line edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
Obama Administration Rescinds Harmful Medicaid Regulations
On May 5, 2009, President Obama issued an order to rescind several Medicaid regulations including separate rules for school-based services as well as outpatient hospital services. Other harmful Medicaid regulations, including the rehabilitative services rule, were not yet finalized, and therefore did not need to be rescinded. On that front, the Obama Administration has given no indication that it plans to implement them in the future.
Health Care Reform Update
This week House Democratic leaders vowed to pass a comprehensive overhaul of the nation’s health care system before the Congressional recess in August. Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, and the chairmen of three committees with jurisdiction over this issue made the pledge following a morning meeting with President Obama. The President restated the importance of the effort as a necessary step for containing long-term budget deficits.
