Brain Injury Blog | Traumatic Brain Injury TBI

Also on Wednesday, the House Committee on Veterans Affairs approved H.R. 2818, legislation endorsed by BIAA which would establish Epilepsy Centers of Excellence within the VA. Last week, the Senate passed its version of the legislation as part of a package of veterans’ mental health bills. Continue Reading »

Late this week, Fiscal 2009 302(b) Appropriations Subcommittee Allocations were announced, including an allocation of $153.1 billion for the Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS), and Education Appropriations Subcommittee, which funds multiple TBI-related programs, including programs authorized through the TBI Act. Continue Reading »

Floor consideration of a possible final version of the fiscal 2009 budget resolution (S. Con. Res. 70) could take place next week, as Congress works to accomplish legislative goals before leaving town for a week-long Memorial Day Recess beginning on Monday, May 26. Continue Reading »

BIAA Signs On In Support of National Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week Resolution

BIAA was proud to sign on as a supporter of the National Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week Resolution (S. Res. 518), which passed the Senate on Monday. The Resolution, introduced by Senator Dodd (D-CT), dedicates this week (the week of April 21st through 25th) to raise awareness of Shaken Baby Syndrome and to ultimately eliminate its occurrence.

BIAA was included as a supporter of the resolution in Senator Dodd’s floor statement that was submitted to the Congressional Record when it was introduced on Thursday, April 16, 2008.

BIAA Roots On Servicemembers at Wounded Warrior Soldier Ride White House Kickoff

A representative of BIAA was invited to attend an event hosted by President George W. Bush on Thursday at the White House. BIAA Government Affairs Director Laura Schiebelhut was proud to be part of the inspiring event, which honored a group of wounded warriors as they kicked off the Wounded Warrior Project’s second annual “Soldier Ride: White House to Light House Challenge.”

Soldier Ride, sponsored by the Wounded Warrior Project, is a rehabilitative cycling program for wounded warriors, including individuals with brain injury. For many of these combat-wounded veterans, Soldier Ride provides the first steps in the return to an active lifestyle.

Last night, the House of Representatives passed legislation to reauthorize the Traumatic Brain Injury Act (S. 793), by a vote of 392-1. BIAA thanks all of you who called your Representatives and urged them to vote YES on the bill! Continue Reading »

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!

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.

The Congressional Brain Injury Task Force is hosting a “2008 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).

BIAA invites all advocates to attend “2008 Brain Injury Awareness Day” events, and 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. click here for more…

The President released his Fiscal 2009 Budget on Monday, February 4, and once again, this year’s Budget proposes to eliminate funding for the TBI Act HRSA state grant program.  BIAA issued a press release condemning the President’s Budget on Monday afternoon.  To view a copy of BIAA’s Press Release, please visit our website at http://www.biausa.org/policyissues.htm. Continue Reading »