Sessions Introduces TBI Treatment Bill For Troops, Vets

Press Release

U.S. Congressman Pete Sessions has introduced the TBI Treatment Act (H.R.4568) to expedite new and innovative treatments, not currently available within Department of Defense (DoD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities, to our nations' veterans and active duty soldiers suffering from Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI).

"Thousands of our brave servicemen and women are returning from combat with mild to severe cases of TBI, resulting in an inability to hold a job, properly care for their families, or in some cases, to overcome suicidal tendencies," stated Sessions. "As a nation, we have the responsibility for their care and recovery, and I am encouraged with the potential of expediting innovative treatments for brain-injured soldiers suffering from TBI."

The TBI Treatment Act creates a five-year pilot program that allows active duty and veteran TBI patients to receive reimbursable health care from private physicians who are utilizing an array of leading-edge, successful therapies to treat TBI. Under Sessions' legislation, physicians may voluntarily treat soldiers and veterans with TBI using any government-approved treatments to stimulate neurons throughout the brain to regain function, including but not limited to Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), flash doses of approved drugs, and small devices that operate like brain pacemakers. Using these and other treatments in the private sector, a multitude of evidence from numerous cases shows substantial progress in brain function and personality in TBI patients, leading to promising treatment options for injured troops.

Through a "pay-for-performance" plan, physicians may qualify for payment from DoD or VA after proving through independent pre- and post-treatment neuropsychological testing, accepted survey instruments, neurological imaging, or clinical examination that a patient has experienced demonstrable improvement. Treatment and reimbursement safeguards in the bill ensure immediate access to innovative private health care treatments while reserving payment only for treatments that work.

"Our soldiers and veterans suffering from TBI need help and hope right now," said Sessions, "and I believe that they deserve immediate access to the most effective treatments available, whether through government or private health care. By prioritizing treatment results over treatment location, my legislation immediately opens up the most innovative and most effective treatments for brain-injured soldiers and veterans even as the federal government evaluates and builds the capabilities to offer new treatments on its own in the future."

To reach the long-term objective of incorporating leading-edge medical practices into military hospitals, Sessions' TBI Treatment Act requires an annual report to Congress on the results of the program and how each Department Secretary plans to integrate successful methods into their own medical facilities. This process will help encourage a constant flow of new and innovative treatments into military medicine.

Since 2006, Sessions has been actively engaged in finding proven, high-quality treatment options for troops and veterans with TBI, which is an increasingly-common and life-threatening non-healing wound among troops in combat regions. Sessions has met with physicians, scientists, researchers, the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and service members regarding new therapies for TBI in military and VA medical facilities as well as immediate access through private health care. Sessions' TBI Treatment Act builds on legislation he passed in 2009 to begin the evaluation and reporting process for the use of innovative TBI treatments in military and veteran facilities.

"Our soldiers and veterans have made very costly sacrifices for American security and prosperity, and they deserve unwavering support from a grateful nation. I will continue to stand up for our injured soldiers and veterans to ensure that they receive the best quality care in America," Sessions concluded.

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