Bishop Attends White House Event Highlighting Need to Address Student Athlete Concussions

Press Release

Yesterday, Congressman Tim Bishop took part in the White House Healthy Kids and Safe Sports Concussion Summit. During his remarks, President Obama highlighted Congressman Bishop as a leader on the issue.

Last year, Congressman Bishop introduced the Protecting Student Athletes from Concussions Act (H.R. 3532). The legislation, which he also introduced during the previous two sessions of Congress, focuses on three things: educating parents, students and coaches on the danger of concussions; requiring student athletes suspected of injury to receive medical attention; and requiring concussed student athletes to obtain a written release from a health care provider in order to return to play.

"I would like to thank President Obama for his attention to this critical issue," said Congressman Bishop. "Concussions do not only impact the ability of a student athlete to play his or her sport of choice, but can also affect his or her ability to perform in the classroom. We need to take steps to ensure student athletes and those tasked with looking out for them are properly educated about the symptoms of concussions, and put measures in place that lessen the likelihood of a student athlete returning to play too soon after a concussion."

Congressman Bishop's legislation requires school districts to develop and implement a standard, community-based plan for concussion safety and management, including conducting outreach to parents and students. Schools would also be required to post information about concussions in a way that is publicly visible. The legislation also creates requirements for pulling the student athlete out of play, ensuring a medical evaluation and mandating parental notification.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), over 170,000 youth between the ages of 0-19 years are treated by emergency rooms for traumatic brain injuries, including concussions, caused by sports and other recreational activities each year. Individuals in this age range are more susceptible to concussions and have a longer recovery period than older individuals.

More information about the causes, symptoms and treatment of concussions can be found at www.cdc.gov/concussion.

Congressman Bishop's legislation is supported by many organizations including the American College of Sports Medicine, the American Federation of Teachers, the National Association of School Nurses, the National Association of Athletic Trainers, the National Education Association, and the National Football League Players Association. It is currently pending before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

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