Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) introduced legislation to reauthorize the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) program for another five years (through (FY2019) at the current funding levels. The TBI program provides assistance to millions of Americans suffering from brain injuries. These injuries, which are generally the result of a bump, blow or jolt to the head, range from mild to severe and can lead to lifelong complications or even death. Hatch created the TBI program with late-Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) in 1996.
“Traumatic brain injuries have serious consequences for families across Pennsylvania and the nation,” said Senator Casey. “This legislation supports critical activities to improve prevention, educate communities, and support individuals with TBI and their families and caregivers. We also take steps to improve the coordination of federal activities relating to TBI and to identify further opportunities for improving brain injury management in children. I appreciate working with Senator Hatch on a bipartisan basis to move forward on this important issue.”
“From our veterans and servicemembers returning home from war to student athletes playing the sport they love, millions of Americans suffering from a traumatic brain injury are forced to rely on long-term or lifelong assistance for even the most basic tasks,” Senator Hatch said. “I’m proud to have helped create this worthwhile and effective program, which continues to make a difference in the lives of so many. This reauthorization does not increase spending one cent, and is supported by so many of the leaders in the brain injury field. I commend the leadership of Senator Casey on this important issue and hope we can have this bill pass the Senate and signed into law soon.”
The Hatch-Casey TBI legislation is supported by American Association of Neurological Surgeons, American Physical Therapy Association, American Psychological Association, American Trauma Society, Brain Injury Association of America, Child Injury Prevention Alliance, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, National Association of State Head Injury Administrators, National Association of County and City Health Officials, National Association of County and City Health Officials, National Association of State EMS Officials, Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence, National Council on Aging, Prevent Child Abuse America, Safe Kids, and the Safe States Alliance.
###
