Health Care Reform Update
Lawmakers are now developing policy options that could become part of the national health care reform, but currently no legislation has been introduced and there are no specific bills to support or oppose. In anticipation of both proposed and final legislation, BIAA has adopted five guiding principles (below) designed to aid Congress in drafting language that would increase access to treatment for individuals with brain injury.
Guiding Principles:
- Recognize brain injury is a disease.
- Focus on medical necessity.
- Provide access to the full treatment continuum.
- Use accredited programs, interdisciplinary team of qualified/specialized clinicians, and appropriate treatment settings based on patient and family choices and aspirations.
- Hold private insurers accountable for the premiums they collect; avoid Medicare/Medicaid as first option for coverage.
These principles are explained in a Brain Injury Health Care Pledge that can be signed and supported by members of congress who want to make sure that the unique needs of those with brain injury are addressed in the final health care plan. Our goal is to encourage all Representatives and Senators to sign this pledge to raise awareness and understanding of how proposed policies could impact people with brain injury, family members, researchers and clinicians.
On May 6, 2009, BIAA circulated an action alert that included the pledge in the body of the message advocates send to their Representatives and Senators. If you haven’t taken action by asking your members of congress to support the pledge, you may still do so by clicking on the following link:
BIAA’s full position paper explaining each guiding principle, an executive summary, and a detailed article from The Challenge! regarding our positions on health care reform can also be found on our website by clicking on the link below.
In support of BIAA’s health care reform campaign, BIAA leaders and staff participated in several high level meetings in the House, Senate, and the White House to encourage support for these principles.
BIAA gained the support of the Co-Chairmen of the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force (Rep. Pascrell, Rep. Platts), who circulated a letter to their House of Representatives colleagues encouraging them to sign the Brain Injury pledge. BIAA will continue to reach out to members of both the House and the Senate to secure brain injury treatment in health care reform proposals.
