Capito Honors America's Heroes On Veteran's Day: Introduces Legislation To Assist Wounded Warriors

Press Release

Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., honors veterans by introducing legislation to help our nation's rural veterans suffering from Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) receive the care and treatments they deserve.

H.R. 3458 provides for the establishment of TBI specific case managers in rural areas that will assist veterans in receiving the proper care for their TBI related injuries. Second, it allows these case managers to contract with private providers in rural communities so veterans and their families do not have to be away from home for extended periods of time to receive treatments.

"Whether deployed to a war zone in the Middle East or volunteering for the National Guard, veterans--past and present--selflessly serve and protect. Our service men and women put themselves in harm's way to protect our freedom and prosperity back home," stated Capito. "One of the most heartbreaking realities of war is that many men and women never make it back to their loved ones, and many more return permanently wounded. In rural areas where the nearest poly-trauma center may be hours away, veterans are sometimes unable to receive the care they need and deserve. My bill will allow veterans to visit local care providers even if they're unaffiliated with the VA."

The dramatic improvements in medical technology and battlefield treatment of wounds has resulted in many more service men and women surviving serious injuries sustained during war time. One of the most challenging wounds sustained by our military men and women are Traumatic Brain Injuries. The severity of TBI can range widely, necessitating further research and the development of treatment options. TBI can often be debilitating and frequently results in extensive treatment and rehabilitation.

The Veterans Administration currently has four major Poly-trauma facilities across the nation that provide excellent care to our nation's veterans suffering from TBI; however, the affects of TBI can be long-lasting and require treatments that may be difficult to obtain in more rural areas.

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