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Approximately 1.4 million Americans experience Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) each year and an estimated 3.2 million Americans are living with long-term, severe disabilities as a result of brain injury. Another 360,000 men and women are estimated to have been inflicted by a TBI in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The national cost of TBI is estimated to be $60 billion annually. That is why I founded the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force in 2001. Co-Chaired by Rep. Todd Platts of Pennsylvania, the task force will serve as a clearinghouse of information for Congress and the public. It will promote full funding for the TBI Act and other brain injury research programs, and provide guidance to federal agencies on policies and proposed rulemakings.
Mission
To further education and awareness of brain injury (incidence, prevalence, prevention, and treatment) and support funding for basic and applied research on brain injury rehabilitation and development of a cure.
Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of death and disability among young Americans in the United States. However, it is often known as the "silent epidemic" -- traumatic brain injury can strike anyone at any time. TBI is defined as an insult to the brain caused by an external force that may produce a diminished or altered state of consciousness and which often results in an impairment of cognitive abilities or physical functioning. TBI can also result in the disturbance of behavioral or emotional functioning.
Nationwide, there are 1.5 million brain injuries per year, with an estimated societal cost of over $60 billion per year, including direct care and loss of productivity. There are now 3.2 million Americans living with long term disability as a result of brain injury.
These numbers do not include incidence or prevalence of "Acquired Brain Injury" (ABI) which can occur with anoxia or stroke. ABI and TBI should be considered together by the Caucus.
TBI has been named the signature wound of the War in Iraq and Afghanistan with an estimated 360,000 brain-injured men and women returning from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. America's armed forces are sustaining attacks by rocket-propelled grenades, improvised explosive devices, and land mines almost daily in Iraq and Afghanistan. These injured soldiers require specialized care from providers experienced in treating traumatic brain injury. Blast injuries have become common in military conflicts.
The "Traumatic Brain Injury Act" was most recently reauthorized in April 2008. The Congressional Brain Injury Task Force worked hard to ensure that the new authorization included increased funding for research and treatment of TBI.
Membership
Click here to view a list of members of the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force for the 111th Congress. (PDF)
Newsletters
Legislation
- H.Res.178
- Expressing the need for enhanced public awareness of traumatic brain injury and support for the designation of a National Brain Injury Awareness Month.
- H.R. 1347
- The Concussion Treatment and Care Tools (ConTACT) Act - Provides for the establishment and implementation of concussion management guidelines for school-aged children and provides grants for schools' implementation of computerized pre-season baseline and post-injury neuropsychological testing for student athletes.
Appropriations Requests
Members of the 110th Congress request support for the Defense and Veterans Head Injury Program from the House Appropriations Committee.
Appropriation History
Media
- July 2008 - American Legion Magazine
- Signature Wound of the War
- March 25, 2007- The Record
- Op-Ed: Funding for the "Signature Injury" of the War In Iraq is Key
- March 17, 2005- Roll Call
- Lobbyists Seek Increased Funding For Brain Injury Treatment, Research
- March 17, 2005- The Hill
- Letter to the Editor: Giving Brain Injury a Voice
- May 21, 2002- New Jersey Medical Magazine
- Op-Ed: Traumatic Brain Injury: The Silent Epidemic
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