Traumatic Brain Injury Legislation

KENNEDY, HATCH COMMEND HOUSE PASSAGE OF TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY LEGISLATION
WASHINGTON, DC – Senators Edward M. Kennedy and Orrin Hatch released the following statement today commending the House of Representatives for passing the Traumatic Brain Injury Act Reauthorization. The bill is very similar to the measure passed by the Senate in December, and the Senate is expected to take up the House Bill very soon and send it to the President for his signature.
“Today, we’re a giant step closer to giving our nation’s military, veterans, children, and other citizens with traumatic brain injuries the best rehabilitation services we can provide. Over 5 million Americans are now living with permanent disabilities because of these injuries, and 1.5 million more suffer and survive such injuries every year. Modern medicine is now providing real hope for rehabilitation, and our goal in this legislation is to make it widely available to this vulnerable population. They deserve no less,” said Senators Kennedy and Hatch.
The legislation will extend and improve funding for a range of traumatic brain injury rehabilitation programs, such as assistance in returning to work, finding a place to live, and obtaining needed support and appropriate rehabilitation services. It also funds an important CDC program to prevent such injuries.
The bill will be of major assistance to soldiers with such injuries from combat, and to children, who tend to have a higher incidence of the injuries.