Walz Proposes Traumatic Brain Injury Centers Act

Press Release

WALZ PROPOSES TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY CENTERS ACT

Today, Congressman Tim Walz introduced H.R. 2179, the Traumatic Brain Injury Centers Act. "I introduced this bill because Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) has quickly become the signature injury of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and it urgently needs our attention," said Walz.

H.R. 2179 would help veterans cope with TBI by creating five Traumatic Brain Injury Centers around the country. These centers would conduct TBI research, develop improved models for TBI care and provide TBI education and training for VA staff. "While VA has built an impressive medical system that includes high-quality polytrauma centers, H.R. 2179 would ensure that the VA system also includes centers that focus solely on TBI. These centers will be the focal points for research and education dealing with a devastating injury we are only now beginning to truly understand," said Walz.

While new forms of military technology are routinely saving soldiers' lives from deadly explosive attacks, these survivors often return home suffering from TBI. Veterans suffering from TBI often have to relearn simple skills and are at times left permanently unable to perform daily functions.

"As America's service members return home, many of them suffering from TBI, we owe them nothing less than the highest quality care as they learn to live with their injuries," concluded Walz.

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