McNerney Hails Passage of TBI Bill

Press Release

MCNERNEY HAILS PASSAGE OF TBI BILL

Today, the House passed a bipartisan bill to ensure the Veterans Administration is equipped to treat veterans suffering from Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), the signature injury of the war in Iraq. The bill, H.R. 2199, included the provisions of a bill Rep. Jerry McNerney (CA-11) authored and introduced two weeks ago requiring the VA to assess its capacity to treat veterans with TBI and develop policies for both short- and long-term TBI care and rehabilitation.

"Traumatic Brain Injury is the hallmark injury of the war in Iraq. Estimates are that over half of the soldiers wounded in Iraq have experienced a Traumatic Brain Injury," Rep. McNerney said. "Because of the nature of the injuries, which can often require long-term care and rehabilitation, it is critical we work now to ensure the Veterans Administration is prepared to provide the ongoing services necessary to fully address the impact of traumatic brain injuries," Rep. McNerney said.

The Traumatic Brain Injury Health Enhancement and Long-Term Support Act of 2007, H.R. 2199, ensures that our veterans are properly screened for Traumatic Brain Injury and, if diagnosed, receive the appropriate treatment. Specifically, the bill:

·Requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to screen veterans for TBI;

·Calls for a comprehensive program of long-term care for post-acute TBI rehabilitation;

·Establishes a TBI transition office at each of the 21 polytrauma network sites nationwide;

·Creates a TBI veteran health registry; and

·Expands VA resources to provide rural communities with "mobile vet centers" for mental health services and benefits outreach.

The bill also includes the provisions of Rep. McNerney's original bill, H.R. 2201, to establish a special panel within the VA charged with assessing the VA's current capacity to treat veterans with traumatic brain injuries and making recommendations on developing policies for care and rehabilitation as well as creating TBI-specific education and training programs for VA's health professionals.

"Our men and women in uniform returning home deserve the best care that can be provided, especially those who have suffered Traumatic Brain Injury," Rep. McNerney said. "It is important that we do all that is necessary to ensure the VA can properly provide the services needed by those with TBI."

Source