THE Challenge! Spring 2011

THE Challenge!
ADVOCACY UPDATE
By Sarah D’Orsie, Director of Government Affairs, Brain Injury Association of America
This spring, BIAA remains focused on health care reform, appropriations, TBI
Act and more. With the appropriations climate more uncertain than ever, BIAA
has tirelessly advocated for brain injury programs in Congress by meeting
with both Appropriations and authorizing Committees to drive home the importance of
brain injury services and rehabilitation. Fiscal Year 2011 appropriations had not been
finalized by press time; BIAA is monitoring the negotiations closely while continuing
work on Fiscal Year 2012 funding. Although government spending will likely be
limited, we look forward to a successful policy year for the brain injury community.
BIAA Unveils 2011
Legislative Fact Sheets
On March 16, 2011, BIAA released its 2011 legislative fact
sheets highlighting critical public policy issues for people
with brain injury, including: access to care, research, TBI Act
appropriations and reauthorization, military, and membership in
the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force. BIAA is excited to
move forward these priorities in the 112th Congress. Go here to
download the fact sheets: www.biausa.org/biaa-advocacy.htm.
President’s FY2012 Budget
After analyzing the President’s proposed FY2012 budget in
February, BIAA is pleased to report that programs authorized
by the TBI Act, including the Health Resources and Services
Administration (HRSA) Federal TBI Program and the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC’s) important TBI
work, have both been recommended to receive at least the same
funding found in FY10 final and FY11 Continuing Resolution
(CR) appropriations bills, $10 million for HRSA and just under
$7 million for CDC.
The CDC collects data, links both military and civilian
populations with TBI services, increases public awareness,
and conducts public health research. The HRSA Federal TBI
Program funds 18 states to improve systems coordination access
to care for people with brain injury.
Also, the budget aims to preserve the TBI Model Systems of
Care Program, funding 16 centers, two collaborative research
centers and one technical assistance center. Originally, it was
thought the budget recommended to discontinue two centers,
but after clarification from the National Institute of Disability
and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), BIAA is confident that
all aspects of the program will be renewed.
The TBI Model Systems are a collection of research centers
located across the United States that conduct disability and
rehabilitation research under grants administered by the
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research
of the U.S. Department of Education. They are the only source
of non-proprietary longitudinal data on what happens to people
with brain injury. The TBI Model Systems are a key source of
evidence-based medicine, and serve as a “proving ground” for
future researchers.
BIAA will continue to work with legislators to ensure that
Congress understands the importance of these programs and
how they affect the 1.7 million people across the United States
with brain injury.
Sports and Concussion
On March 16, 2011, Reps. Bill Pascrell, Jr. and Todd Russell
Platts, as well as Sen. Tom Udall, introduced bipartisan legislation
aimed at protecting youth athletes from the dangers of sportsrelated
traumatic brain injuries.
The Children’s Sports Athletic Equipment Safety Act (HR
1127/S 601) would ensure that new and reconditioned football
helmets for high school and younger players meet safety
standards that address concussion risk and the needs of youth
athletes. The bill also increases potential penalties for using
false injury prevention claims to sell helmets and other sports
equipment.
BIAA endorsed the legislation and provided technical assistance
during the writing of the bill.
Other
In January, President Obama signed into law the Frank Melville
Supportive Housing Investment Act, amending Section 811, the
Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities program. The
law will provide a new authority to the Department of Housing
and Urban Development (HUD) to allocate long term operating
assistance funds to states where a strong supportive housing
plan exists to link services to mainstream affordable housing for
persons with disabilities.
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THE Challenge! | Spring 2011