BRAIN INJURY is the last thing on your mind until it’s the only thing. Just ask the millions of children and adults who sustain brain injuries in the U.S. each year. News reports of returning veterans and recent high profile stories indicate what researchers have been reporting for years brain injury is a leading public health problems in U. S. military and civilian populations.

In the coming months, Congress will be considering health care reform. The Brain Injury Association of America believes that national health care reform initiatives should address the unique health care needs of persons who sustain brain injuries. By recognizing that brain injury is the start of a lifelong disease process requiring access to a full continuum of medically accredited necessary treatment.

Awareness of brain injury has increased substantially because of the 360,000 service members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. With civilian population of 1.4 million sustain injuries, according to the CDC, from falls, car crashes and other blows to the head (TBI). 1 million acquired brain injuries from strokes, infections, tumors, toxins (ABI). Additionally sports-related concussions estimated around 1.6 to 3.8 million who may not seek immediate care.

No two brains are alike so no two injuries are alike. Any brain injuries-- Regardless of cause or severity --can temporarily or permanently impact brain and body functions.

Brain injury is also a disease causative and a disease accelerative in that it predisposes individuals to re- injury and the onset of other condition.

For example, it can impact neurologic disorders such as epilepsy, vision, and hearing impairments, psychiatric disorders, and orthopedic, gastrointestinal, urologic, sexual, neuroendocrine, cardiovascular and musculoskeletal dysfunction.

For many people injury is not an event or an outcome but the beginning of a life long disease process. These patients need access to a continuum of treatment.

Continuum begins with acute care in emergency room, post –acute for disease management and reorganization through physical, occupational and speech therapies and other rehabilitative interventions. Some may need the clinically effectives from specialty rehabilitation long term care facilities. Others treatments may be provided by an outpatient setting. Ongoing medical management to achieve durable outcomes mitigate disease progression and optimize health. Every level of treatment continuum is enriched by clinical experience protocols operational management knowledge acquired during the last 30 years

It is critical to recognize that recovery from injury is not a linear event. Brain injury is similar to other chronic conditions (i. e., cancer, asthma, and diabetes) in that the disease may be stable for a time then can become unstable. It is important to note that the brain is the only organ that responds to and relies on external stimulation for physiological remodeling. No pharmacologic or surgical intervention exists that will repair or replace neural structures.

Private Insurance some access to full continuum of necessary services. Unfortunately, many do not.

1. Despite the evidence of cost efficiency and benefit to the patients regaining health and function, and able to reintegrate into the community. The accident and health carriers seek to delay or deny treatment.

2. In publicly financed systems ,arbitrary limits are placed on scope, duration and intensity of care despite well established treatment guidelines.

Both systems rely on administrative who are not experts with brain injury to authorize care.

National health insurance must ensure that private insurance DO NOT DELAY OR DENY TREATMENT. Ensure that insurance systems meet the health care needs of persons with injuries as they meet the same with someone who has other chronic diseases (e.g., heart and lung disease); and avoid using Medicaid and Medicare as the first option for coverage.

*** Health care reform affects all Americans, particularly individuals who have sustained a brain injury. Headway needs your assistance in advocating for health care reform for these individuals.

The Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) strongly believes that national health care reform initiative needs to be inclusive to the needs of individuals with brain injury. It is recognized that brain injury is the start of a life-long condition that requires access to a full continuum of medically necessary treatments (including rehabilitation). This should be supplied by accredited programs in the most appropriate treatment setting.

We are asking advocates across the country to urge their senators and representatives in Congress to sign a pledge in support of the health care reform principals benefiting individuals with brain injury. To take action, simply sign the pledge, enclose a brief cover letter on why the principals are important and mail your letter to:

The Honorable Charles Schumer & The Honorable Kirsten Gillibrand

U.S. Senate U.S. Senate

Washington, D.C. 20510 Washington, D.C. 20510

The Honorable Brian Higgins

U.S. House of Representatives

Washington, D.C. 20515

Click here for the TBI Health Care Pledge