Representative TJ Cox Pushes to Bolster Programs for Veterans with TBI

Press Release

This week, the house began voting on H.R. 7608, one of two series of "minibus" bills to fund the government for fiscal year 2021. Rep. TJ Cox (CA-21) has been fighting for Central Valley priorities that are often ignored in the funding process. Rep. Cox is making sure our taxpayer dollars return to the Valley in order to fund the programs most critical to our communities.

Earlier this year, Rep. Cox led a bi-partisan letter sent to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies, urging the Department of Veterans Affairs' to report on current care procedures for Veterans living with severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). The members were concerned existing programs do not adequately address issues faced by many veterans, as the programs do not consider age or geographical location.

This creates special challenges for younger veterans from more recent conflicts, who would be better served by high-quality specialty residential facilities that provide services for individuals who have suffered severe TBIs, as opposed to a nursing home, where many of these individuals are currently placed. Also, veterans in rural areas like those in the Central Valley do not always have easy access to these facilities, often having to drive for miles to get adequate help.

By sending the letter and urging the Appropriations Committee to take action, Rep. Cox was able to get language added to H.R. 7608 that would direct the VA to ensure that veterans suffering from TBIs have access to the facilities that would provide them with the best chance for fulfilling and independent lives.

"If we aren't providing the best long-term care options for veterans who have suffered TBIs, we've failed the people who sacrificed to keep us safe," said Rep. TJ Cox. "While those with a mild or moderate TBI can return to full health with proper care, veterans suffering from severe TBIs require intensive, long-term care. Unfortunately, many of these veterans have been unable to access the care they need, especially those who live in rural communities. By getting this amendment added to H.R. 7608, we will hold the VA accountable, and ensure that they are helping veterans and giving them the benefits they earned."

The language pushed for by Rep. Cox in H.R. 7608 directs the VA to;

Ensure an adequate number of long-term residential care facilities are available for those suffering TBI,
Provide a report detailing the VA's plan for how it will provide long-term residential care for these Veterans if the VA does not have its own facilities to do so,
Make publicly available and easily accessible on the VA's website a list of long-term care community providers that are within the VA's community care networks, and
Submit a report on the current and projected need for residential care for Veterans with severe TBI, especially in rural areas.

This language was drafted after Rep. Cox led a letter sent to the Department of Veterans Affairs requesting more information on the VA's long-term care plans, including assisted living programs, for veterans living with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Read the letter sent to the Appropriations Subcommittee here.

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