WASHINGTON – The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the world’s largest organization dedicated to sports medicine and exercise science, announced its support for H.R. 2600, the "National Pediatric Acquired Brain Injury Plan Act,” or PABI Plan, authored by Congressman Leonard Lance.  ACSM joins the Brain Injury Association of New Jersey, the Sarah Jane Brain Foundation and the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America assupporters of the bipartisan legislation.

In a letter endorsing Lance’s bill, James Whitehead, the executive director of the 45,000 member ACSMwrote: “This legislation would go a long way toward implementing the National Pediatric Acquired Brain Injury Plan, helping those in every state recover from brain injuries.”  CLICK HERE to read ACSM’s full endorsement letter.

Specifically, the PABI Plan Act would address the number one leading cause of death and disability for American children and young adults up to 25 years of age:  brain injury.  Nearly 80,000 children suffer from these brain related injuries and would be included in this national initiative.

According to ACSM more than 80,000 American youth suffer from brain injuries and are hospitalized as a result. These injuries may range from sports-related concussions to auto accidents and blasts suffered during military service.

“By establishing Lead Centers of Excellence in every state, H.R. 2600 would make expert, evidence-based care available to all. Currently, too many Americans lack access to these services due to uneven availability of specialized facilities and appropriate medical professionals,” Whitehead added.

Lance’s legislation would create a national network of 52 State Lead Centers of Excellence with the responsibility of implementing the PABI Plan based on their own state's unique demographics, geography, laws, infrastructure, financing and causes of brain injuries without duplicating current practices.  The legislation will cover the entire continuum of care from prevention, treatment in acute medical facilities, reintegration back into the schools, communities and homes and then transitioning into an adult system of greater independent living.

“Developing a seamless, standardized, evidence-based system of care to prevent, identify and treat brain injuries is a national obligation to our families,” said Lance. “The PABI Plan will accomplish this mission for young people suffering from the number one leading cause of death and disability — brain injury. I appreciate and welcome the American College of Sports Medicine’s endorsement of the this important legislation.”

To date, over 85 members of Congress have cosponsored Lance’s legislation.

 

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