Helping Service Members, Veterans with TBI

Statement

As our nation honors our fallen soldiers on Memorial Day, I believe that it is also vitally important to remember the sacrifice of our surviving service members -- thousands of whom are returning from combat with mild to severe Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI).

As you may know, I have made expanding treatment for brain-injured soldiers and veterans one my top priorities in Congress. I am very pleased to report that on Thursday the House unanimously approved legislation I authored to expedite new and innovative treatments not currently available within military and veteran medical facilities to our nations' veterans and active duty soldiers suffering from TBI.

Originally introduced in February as the TBI Treatment Act (H.R. 4568), my TBI treatment expansion initiative was adopted as an amendment to the Department of Defense authorization bill.

My TBI treatment legislation creates a five-year pilot program that allows active duty and veteran TBI patients to receive health care from private physicians who are utilizing an array of leading-edge, successful therapies to treat TBI. Under the 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 the Department of Defense or Veterans Affairs 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 legislation ensure immediate access to innovative private health care treatments while reserving payment only for treatments that work.

To reach the long-term objective of incorporating leading-edge medical practices into military hospitals, my TBI treatment legislation 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.

This Memorial Day, I believe that we can most honor our service members and veterans by making their health a top priority. These brave men and women have sacrificed for their country, and we as a nation have a solemn duty to ensure that they have access to the most effective treatments available, whether through government or private health care. In the best interest of our soldiers and veterans, we must prioritize treatment results over treatment location. Soldiers should know that their government and fellow Americans will always stand up to provide the help and hope they need. May they know the unwavering support of a grateful nation.

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