Amendment to Improve Treatment of Troops Suffering From Brain Injuries Adopted
Statement
The U.S. House of Representatives Armed Services Committee (HASC) approved an amendment which I sponsored on May 11, 2011 to the Fiscal Year 2012 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 1540). The amendment directs the U.S. Department of Defense to establish guidelines for the rehabilitation of our nation's courageous military personnel who have suffered traumatic brain injuries.
Since 2005, I have been proud to serve as Co-Chair, along with U.S. Congressman Bill Pascrell (NJ-8), of the bipartisan Congressional Brain Injury Task Force. As Co-Chair of the Task Force, I was pleased to sponsor the above-referenced amendment in coordination with the Office of U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (AZ-8).
Traumatic brain injuries from blast exposures are the signature injury of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. We must do right by the men and women in our military who serve in harm's way by ensuring that they receive the highest quality of medical treatment available in order to lead meaningful and productive lives post-injury.
It is estimated that more than 300,000 American soldiers deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan have experienced a possible traumatic brain injury. These injuries can include those caused by shrapnel, but also injuries with no visible signs caused by shockwaves from improvised explosive devices and mortars. Due to significant scientific and medical advances, more service members are surviving the acute stages of blast injuries.
My amendment ensures that guidelines for post-acute rehabilitation of moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries are established for our military personnel. Such medical guidelines will make certain that our service members have access to treatment that works. After the adoption of my and other amendments, HASC approved H.R. 1540 by a vote of 60-1. Subsequently, the full House of Representatives passed the measure by a vote of 322-96. H.R. 1540 is now pending in the Senate.
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