U.S. Senator Susan Collins today announced that she has joined with Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) in introducing legislation to improve the detection, assessment, and treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) among wounded service members and to expand support for the victims of TBI and their families.
The “Heroes at Home Act” would authorize $3.75 million for the Secretary of Defense to implement and objective, computer-based assessment protocol to measure cognitive functioning, both prior to and after deployment, in order to facilitate the accurate diagnosis and treatment of mild and moderate TBI. A joint Department of Defense/Department of Veterans Affairs tele-health program would also be developed to facilitate the quicker assessment of TBI and mental health related conditions as well as for providing education materials.
Additionally, funding would be redirected to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) so that it may create a TBI Family Caregiver Personal Care Attendant Training and Certification Program. This program would provide family members of TBI victims with the necessary training and certification to provide at-home care. These family caregivers would then be qualified for fee-based compensation from the VA.
“Traumatic Brain Injury is an all-too-often undetected or misdiagnosed condition among wounded service men and women,” commented Senator Collins. “Our wounded soldiers and their families deserve the best care and treatment that we can provide. I believe that this legislation will make the diagnosis and treatment of TBI easier and more error-free.”
Senator Collins is deeply concerned about TBI and its tragic effects on America’s veterans. She recently questioned Army Chief of Staff Peter
Schoomaker and Acting Secretary of the Army Preston Geren about the potentially fatal consequences of misdiagnosing TBI as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Both officials acknowledged the need to substantially improve the diagnosis and treatment of TBI and ensure that the disability system accurately reflects the problems associated with TBI.
The Wounded Warrior Project, the National Military Family Association, the Military Officers Association of America, the American Academy of Neurology, and the Brain Injury Association of America have all strongly endorsed this legislation.
###