Hatch Applauds House Passage of Traumatic Brain Injury Program Reauthorization
Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, issued the following statement upon the House of Representatives’s reauthorization of the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) program:
"I am thrilled that the House of Representatives has voted to reauthorize this crucial program. Senator Ted Kennedy and I wrote the original Traumatic Brain Injury legislation almost 20 years ago and it is simply amazing to see the tremendous impact it has had on those those dealing with TBI-related disabilities and their families. These victims are the heroic members of our armed services, young athletes, and others who desperately need our help. I hope the President will move quickly to sign this important bipartisan bill into law."
The legislation, coauthored by Bob Casey, D-Pa., reauthorizes the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) program for five more years at current funding levels and provides assistance to millions of Americans suffering from brain injuries and their families. 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. Sen. Hatch created the TBI program with late Senator Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., in 1996.
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.
