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| Washington, D.C. — As part of his continued commitment to veterans, Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D-Maryland) applauded the majority of his colleagues for joining him in passing the Traumatic Brain Injury Health Enhancement and Long-Term Support Act of 2007 (H.R. 2199). More than half of combat injuries suffered by soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan are associated with brain trauma, often due to improvised explosive devices. As a co-sponsor of this bill, Congressman Cummings supports this measure that provides veterans with proper screening for Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and upon diagnosis, ensures they receive necessary treatment.
The bill addresses several of the issues that have recently been highlighted in the Wounded Warrior Assistance Act (H.R. 1538) and the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2008 (H.R. 1585) regarding increased care for service members suffering from TBI and/or Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. H.R. 2199 supports adjustments to current Department of Veterans Affairs' procedures regarding screening, diagnosis, and rehabilitation of service members with TBI. The key provisions in this legislation include:
"During a March 1, 2007 House Armed Services Committee hearing, I questioned Donald C. Winter, the Secretary of the Navy; Admiral Michael G. Mullen, Chief of Naval Operations; and General James T. Conway, Commandant of the Marine Corps, about the actions taken to treat soldiers with TBI and other serious combat wounds. In response to my question, General Conway confirmed that there are difficulties delivering services to those who do not live near large VA facilities. He also indicated that no specific plans have been developed to ensure that all soldiers with TBI receive the rehabilitative services they require," Congressman Cummings said. "This is the wrong way to treat those who voluntarily join our Armed Forces and have risked their lives. We should instead give our service members all the support they need both while they are in combat and when they return home. "
Congressman Cummings further commented that "If we are to make good on our pledge to support our troops, we must create a system of medical care and rehabilitation that meets or exceeds the growing challenges we face. Congress must do what is required to create a more perfect medical system for our deserving veterans." ### |
