Brain Injury Legislative Alert
Reprinted from The Brain Injury Association of America, the
Congressional Brain Injury Task Force, and the TBI Technical Assistance
Center at NASHIA
Brain Injury Association of America Legislative
Alert - June 5, 2009
Health Care Reform Update
Currently, the Senate
Finance Committee has reached no consensus on
major provisions of the anticipated health care
overhaul, raising doubts that it will be
considered this month. Committee members remain at
an impasse in part because members still lack a
clear picture of what potential policy choices
would cost.
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO), which
estimates what legislation will cost the
taxpayers, is scrambling to analyze dozens of
policy options the committee is considering.
Without cost estimates, lawmakers say it is
difficult to decide which provisions they can
support. (CQ)
BIAA will continue monitoring the situation
closely.
BIAA mobilizes Grassroots Advocates in Support of
The conTACT Act
On Thursday, June 4, 2009, BIAA circulated an
action alert with the intent to urge members of
Congress to sign on to HR 1347, the Concussion
Treatment and Care Tools Act of 2009(ConTACT Act).
The bill would require the Centers for Disease
Control (CDC) to convene a conference to adopt
official concussion guidelines. The bill would
also provide grants to states for the purpose of
ensuring that elementary and secondary schools
implement these guidelines by funding computerized
pre-season baseline and post-injury
neuropsychological testing for student athletes.
If you have yet to take action, you may still
participate by clicking the link below:
BIAA Submits Comments to NIDRR in Response to
Proposed Priorities for RRTCs
This week, BIAA submitted comments to the National
Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation
Research (NIDRR) specifically regarding the fourth
priority included in the proposed plan for the
Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers (RRTCs)
entitled, "Developing Strategies to Foster
Community Integration and Participation for
Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury."
BIAA expressed strong support for the inclusion of
a brain injury related research priority. However,
BIAA also detailed some concerns related to the
strategies used in the priority to foster
community integration and participation for
affected individuals. As proposed, this priority
would develop a classification system based on
symptoms experienced by individuals with TBI who
are living in the community.
BIAA explained that no two brains are alike and
each and every individual presents with different
symptoms, and each injury results in different
challenges. Therefore, trying to categorize these
injuries could be counterproductive to the
priority's goal.
BIAA also suggested several suggestions in lieu of
a categorization strategy. For further reading,
the full text will be posted on BIAA's web site
shortly.
*Distributed by Sarah D’Orsie, BIAA Director of
Government Affairs, on behalf of the Brain Injury
Association of America; 703-761-0750 ext. 637; sdorsie@biausa.orgBIAA’s Policy Corner and Legislative
Action Alerts are made possible by the Centre for
Neuro Skills, James F. Humphreys & Associates,
and Lakeview Healthcare Systems, Inc. The Brain
Injury Association of America gratefully
acknowledges their support for legislative action.
To sign up to receive future BIAA Policy Corner
E-Newsletters and Legislative Action Alerts,
please go to http://capwiz.com/bia/mlm/signup/
Brain Injury Association of America Legislative
Alert - May 22, 2009
Health Care Reform Update
This week the Senate Finance Committee engaged
in three daylong sessions to discuss various
policy options that may be included in a Health
Care Reform bill later this year.
As reported by Congressional Quarterly, Senator
Baucus, the Chairman of the Senate Finance
Committee, was not very enthusiastic when asked
whether committee members had reached consensus on
any issues. However, he did say that he sensed
some common ground on broader issues and believes
his committee is moving towards a
"convergence" on these issues that are
expected to be debated next month.
As always, BIAA will continue to monitor any
health care reform related progress. If you have
not yet taken action and emailed your Senators and
Representatives regarding the brain injury guiding
principles, you may still do so by clicking HERE
Senate Finance Committee Health Care Delivery
System Comments
On Friday, May 15, 2009, BIAA submitted
comments to the Senate Finance Committee in
response to their proposed set of recommendations
regarding health care delivery system reform.
BIAA expressed support for several recommendations
with respect to the coordination of chronic
conditions but also made clear within the
submission that the organization is strongly
opposed to the bundling of post-acute care as it
applies to persons with brain injury.
On Thursday May 21, 2009, The Defense Centers
of Excellence for Psychological Health and
Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE) launched a public
awareness campaign focused on combating the stigma
associated with seeking care and treatment for
psychological health and Traumatic Brain Injury
(TBI).
For more information, visit: http://www.realwarriors.net/
The Real Warriors Web site features articles and
resources as well as video interviews with service
members, their families and others dealing with
psychological health and/or TBI.
BIAA has been an active partner in this campaign
and will continue to work towards its success with
the DCoE.
*Distributed by Sarah D’Orsie, BIAA Director of
Government Affairs, on behalf of the Brain Injury
Association of America; 703-761-0750 ext. 637; sdorsie@biausa.orgBIAA’s Policy Corner and Legislative
Action Alerts are made possible by the Centre for
Neuro Skills, James F. Humphreys & Associates,
and Lakeview Healthcare Systems, Inc. The Brain
Injury Association of America gratefully
acknowledges their support for legislative action.
To sign up to receive future BIAA Policy Corner
E-Newsletters and Legislative Action Alerts,
please go to http://capwiz.com/bia/mlm/signup/
Brain Injury Association of America Legislative
Alert - May 15, 2009
Health Care Reform Update
This week House Democratic leaders vowed to
pass a comprehensive overhaul of the nation's
health care system before the Congressional recess
in August. Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader
Steny Hoyer, and the chairmen of three committees
with jurisdiction over this issue made the pledge
following a morning meeting with President Obama.
The President restated the importance of the
effort as a necessary step for containing
long-term budget deficits.
BIAA will continue to monitor any health care
reform related progress. If you have not yet taken
action and emailed your Senators and
Representatives regarding the brain injury guiding
principles, you may still do so by clicking the
following HERE
On May 5, 2009, President Obama issued an
order to rescind several Medicaid regulations
including separate rules for school-based services
as well as outpatient hospital services. Other
harmful Medicaid regulations, including the
rehabilitative services rule, were not yet
finalized, and therefore did not need to be
rescinded. On that front, the Obama Administration
has given no indication that it plans to implement
them in the future.
BIAA is thrilled that these harmful Medicaid
regulations have been rescinded and that the
Medicaid moratorium that BIAA had actively
supported earlier this year will no longer be
needed!
*Distributed by Sarah D’Orsie, BIAA Director of
Government Affairs, on behalf of the Brain Injury
Association of America; 703-761-0750 ext. 637; sdorsie@biausa.orgBIAA’s Policy Corner and Legislative
Action Alerts are made possible by the Centre for
Neuro Skills, James F. Humphreys & Associates,
and Lakeview Healthcare Systems, Inc. The Brain
Injury Association of America gratefully
acknowledges their support for legislative action.
To sign up to receive future BIAA Policy Corner
E-Newsletters and Legislative Action Alerts,
please go to http://capwiz.com/bia/mlm/signup/
Brain Injury Association of America Legislative
Alert - May 8, 2009
Health Care Reform Update
Lawmakers are now developing policy options that
could become part of the national health care
reform, but currently no legislation has been
introduced and there are no specific bills to
support or oppose. In anticipation of both
proposed and final legislation, BIAA has adopted
five guiding principles (below) designed to aid
Congress in drafting language that would increase
access to treatment for individuals with brain
injury.
Guiding Principles:
1. Recognize brain injury is a disease.
2. Focus on medical necessity.
3. Provide access to the full treatment continuum.
4. Use accredited programs, interdisciplinary team
of qualified/specialized clinicians, and
appropriate treatment settings based on patient
and family choices and aspirations.
5. Hold private insurers accountable for the
premiums they collect; avoid Medicare/Medicaid as
first option for coverage.
These principles are explained in a Brain Injury
Health Care Pledge that can be signed and
supported by members of congress who want to make
sure that the unique needs of those with brain
injury are addressed in the final health care
plan. Our goal is to encourage all Representatives
and Senators to sign this pledge to raise
awareness and understanding of how proposed
policies could impact people with brain injury,
family members, researchers and clinicians.
On May 6, 2009, BIAA circulated an action alert
that included the pledge in the body of the
message advocates send to their Representatives
and Senators. If you haven't taken action by
asking your members of congress to support the
pledge, you may still do so by clicking HERE
BIAA's full position paper explaining each guiding
principle, an executive summary, and a detailed
article from The Challenge! regarding our
positions on health care reform can also be found
on our website by clicking HERE
In support of BIAA's health care reform campaign,
BIAA leaders and staff participated in several
high level meetings in the House, Senate, and the
White House to encourage support for these
principles.
BIAA gained the support of the Co-Chairmen of the
Congressional Brain Injury Task Force (Rep.
Pascrell, Rep. Platts), who circulated a letter to
their House of Representatives colleagues
encouraging them to sign the Brain Injury pledge.
BIAA will continue to reach out to members of both
the House and the Senate to secure brain injury
treatment in health care reform proposals.
Appropriations Update
President's FY10 Budget Proposal Released
TBI Act, Department of Health and Human Services
The White House proposes to sustain funding for
the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
Federal TBI Program, which provides grants to
state agencies and protection and advocacy
organizations to improve access to health and
other services for individuals with traumatic
brain injury (TBI) and their families. The
President's plan proposes $10 million be allocated
to HRSA, the same amount designated in FY09.
For the past three years, President Bush had
proposed to eliminate the HRSA TBI Program funding
in his budgets. BIAA applauds President Obama's
decision to preserve this program, although still
underfunded, so that we can continue to address
the huge public health problem of traumatic brain
injury
NIDRR, Department of Education
The President's budget proposal slates a $3
million increase for the National Institute on
Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDDR),
going from $108 million in FY09 to $111 million in
FY10. Although BIAA is thrilled about this
increase, we will continue to advocate for
increased funding for the TBI Model Systems of
Care as the appropriations process advances this
summer.
BIAA submits FY10 testimony to both the House
and Senate Appropriations Committees
This week, BIAA submitted testimony to the House
and Senate Appropriations Committees,
Subcommittees on Labor, Health and Human Services,
Education and Related Agencies.
http://www.biausa.org/policyissues.htm#testimony
The testimony detailed the importance of
appropriating $37 million to preserve and advance
TBI Act Programs, as well as the need to designate
$13.3 to sustain and bolster health and function
research -- including the TBI Model Systems of
Care, Rehabilitation, Research & Training
Centers; and field-initiated
investigations---within the National Institute on
Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR).
NIDDR Releases notice of proposed priorities
for RRTCs and RERCs
This week the Assistant Secretary for Special
Education and Rehabilitative Services under the
Department of Education proposed funding
priorities for the Disability and Rehabilitation
Research Projects and Centers Program administered
by NIDRR. Specifically, this notice proposes four
priorities for the Rehabilitation Research and
Training Centers (RRTCs) and three priorities for
the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERCs).
Notably, the proposed priorities for RRTCs include
"Developing Strategies to Foster Community
Integration and Participation (CIP) for
Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury." The
goal of this priority is to develop a
classification system based on symptoms
experienced by individuals with TBI who are living
in the community.
This classification system can be used to link the
post-rehabilitation consequences of TBI with
CIP-oriented interventions. Such a classification
will allow practitioners and researchers to better
match individuals with TBI with specific
interventions, and to better characterize their
study samples.
BIAA applauds the Assistant Secretary for
proposing this priority and will continue to
advocate in its favor.
BIAA endorses the Heroes at Home Act of 2009
This week, BIAA submitted a letter to the House
Veteran's Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on
Health urging consideration of the Heroes at Home
Act of 2009 (HR 667). The bill would significantly
improve support for family caregivers of returning
service members with TBI and acknowledge the
critical role played by family caregivers in
facilitating recovery from brain injury and the
pressing need for training, certification and
financial compensation of caregivers.
BIAA will continue to advocate for the swift
passage of this bill as the 111th Congress
progresses. The legislation currently has 36
cosponsors.
BIAA submits letter of endorsement for the
Concussion Treatment and Care Tools Act of 2009 (conTACT)
BIAA submitted a letter to the House Energy and
Commerce Committee encouraging swift passage of
the conTACT Act of 2009 (HR 1347), applauding the
bill's proposal to provide grants to states to
ensure that elementary and secondary schools
implement concussion management guidelines by
funding computerized pre-season baseline and
post-injury neuropsychological testing for student
athletes.
BIAA will continue to track the progress of this
measure and will advocate on its behalf.
BIAA Urges Cosponsorship of the National
Neurotechnology Initiative Act
On April 22, 2009, BIAA circulated an action alert
targeting House Members to cosponsor the National
Neurotechnology Initiative Act of 2009 (HR 1483).
The bill would promote discoveries and accelerate
the development of new and safer treatments for
brain-related illness, injury and disease.
The action alert message also details the need to
initiate much-needed coordination among federal
agencies with respect to research, while adding
efficiency in the regulatory approval processes
that would shorten development times and lead to
more and better treatments for TBI and other
neurological conditions.
You can still access this alert and take action by
clicking HERE
*Distributed by Sarah D’Orsie, BIAA Director of
Government Affairs, on behalf of the Brain Injury
Association of America; 703-761-0750 ext. 637; sdorsie@biausa.orgBIAA’s Policy Corner and Legislative
Action Alerts are made possible by the Centre for
Neuro Skills, James F. Humphreys & Associates,
and Lakeview Healthcare Systems, Inc. The Brain
Injury Association of America gratefully
acknowledges their support for legislative action.
To sign up to receive future BIAA Policy Corner
E-Newsletters and Legislative Action Alerts,
please go to http://capwiz.com/bia/mlm/signup/
Brain Injury Association of America Legislative
Alert - May 7, 2009
Urge Congress to Support the Principles of
the Brain Injury Healthcare Reform Pledge!Take
Action!
The Brain Injury Association has embarked on
what may be the most important advocacy effort in
our 29-year history. President Obama and the U.S.
Congress are undertaking a comprehensive overhaul
of our nation's healthcare system and the
discussions on what to include in the legislation
are happening now. BIAA is committed to
influencing this policy making for the benefit of
the brain injury community.
Help us make sure that people with brain injury
have access to the care that they so desperately
need and deserve. Please contact your Senators and
Representatives in Congress to urge them to sign a
pledge in support of the healthcare reform
principles benefiting individuals with brain
injury.
*Distributed by Sarah D’Orsie, BIAA Director of
Government Affairs, on behalf of the Brain Injury
Association of America; 703-761-0750 ext. 637; sdorsie@biausa.orgBIAA’s Policy Corner and Legislative
Action Alerts are made possible by the Centre for
Neuro Skills, James F. Humphreys & Associates,
and Lakeview Healthcare Systems, Inc. The Brain
Injury Association of America gratefully
acknowledges their support for legislative action.
To sign up to receive future BIAA Policy Corner
E-Newsletters and Legislative Action Alerts,
please go to http://capwiz.com/bia/mlm/signup/
Brain Injury Association of America Legislative
Alert - May 1, 2009
PLEASE CHECK BACK ON WEDNESDAY FOR A
SPECIAL EDITION OF POLICY CORNER THAT WILL INCLUDE
IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING HEALTHCARE REFORM
AS WELL AS THE PRESIDENT'S BUDGET AND
APPROPRIATIONS!
Appropriations Update
On Wednesday, marking President Obama's first 100
days in office, Congress adopted a fiscal year
2010 budget resolution, setting the stage for
action on many of his top legislative priorities.
Being a non-binding framework used by Congress to
make legislative decisions on taxes,
appropriations and entitlement programs later in
the year, it is important to note that the $3.56
trillion budget resolution includes reconciliation
instructions that would allow the President's
proposed healthcare overhaul to move through
Congress immune from a Senate filibuster. (CQ)
BIAA will continue to monitor the appropriations
process with a special edition of Policy Corner
next Wednesday. The President's budget, in its
entirety, is expected to be released early next
week.
Lifetime Caps Advocacy Day
This week BIAA participated in a day-long advocacy
effort organized by the National Hemophilia
Foundation in conjunction with the Raise the Caps
Coalition in support of The Health Insurance
Coverage Protection Act (HR 1085/S 442) sponsored
by Representative Eshoo and by Senators Dorgan and
Snowe. This bi-partisan measure which would set
minimum lifetime limits on private health
insurance at $10 million which would mitigate many
of the challenges that people with high-cost
chronic or catastrophic injuries or diseases face
when procuring the medically necessary treatment
that they need to live independent and productive
lives.
As part of the effort, a briefing was held for the
purpose of releasing a study conducted by Price
Waterhouse Coopers (PwC) to examine the prevalence
of lifetime limits, the number of people who are
affected by them, and the costs of increasing, or
removing, lifetime limits from health plans. The
findings were based on public data, surveys of
major insurers, and PwC actuarial modeling.
The findings of the study are as follows:
Prevalence of Lifetime Limits
-About 55% of individuals with employer provided
health insurance are subject to lifetime
limits, or 91 million people in 2009. The
proportion of individuals with employer
coverage, who have no lifetime limits increased
substantially between 2000 and 2007.
-The most common lifetime limits are $1 million or
$2 million. More than 20 percent of
people, who are covered by employer plans, are
subject to lifetime limits of $1 million;
another 32% are subject to limits of $2 million or
more.
-Employers that self-insure are more likely to
have plans with lifetime limits.
-PwC estimates approximately 20,000 to 25,000
people in 2009 are no longer covered by
their employer-sponsored plans because of lifetime
limits.
Cost of Removing Lifetime Limits
-Increasing lifetime limits from $1 million to $5
million would increase premiums, on
average, by 0.6 percent to 0.8 percent
(approximately $3 per month for typical single
plan, $8 per month for family plan).
-Increasing lifetime limits from $2 million to $5
million would increase premiums, on
average, by 0.25 percent to 0.35 percent (less
than $2 per month for typical single plan,
$4 per month for family plan).
-Extending the limits from $5 million to $10
million would increase premiums on average
by less than 0.1 percent.
Illustrative Impact of Lifetime Limits in 2019
-If lifetime limits are not increased, the number
of individuals who are no longer covered
by their employer-sponsored plans because of
lifetime limits will increase exponentially
as healthcare costs continue to rise.
-According to the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services, healthcare costs per
capita are projected to rise at about 6 percent
annually, or about 80 percent over next 10
years.
-At this rate of increase, PwC estimates
approximately 300,000 people (0.3% of the
people with lifetime limits) would be affected by
lifetime limits in 2019 if current limits
were not increased.
Medicaid Savings from Increasing Lifetime
Limits to $10 Million
-Many individuals who lose insurance coverage
because of lifetime limits fall back on
government programs, primarily Medicaid.
-If lifetime limits were increased to $10 million,
PwC estimates that Medicaid programs
would save more than $1 billion in 2010
As a part of the briefing, Majorie Crigler, the
family member of a person that suffered a brain
injury was on hand to express her family's
experience with lifetime caps. Her brother hit his
lifetime cap about 5 months after suffering a
brain injury and the family was forced to hire
lawyers to navigate the process of applying for
Medicaid. Her story was tremendously profound and
helped the Congressional staff that attended the
briefing better understand the importance of
moving forward with this legislation.
After the briefing, BIAA and other stakeholders
representing the Hemophilia community embarked on
several meetings with Capitol Hill Staff to raise
awareness for the legislation and also to
highlight the findings of the PwC study.
BIAA will continue to follow up with Congressional
and Committee staff to urge swift passage of this
measure.
*Distributed by Sarah D’Orsie, BIAA Director of
Government Affairs, on behalf of the Brain Injury
Association of America; 703-761-0750 ext. 637; sdorsie@biausa.orgBIAA’s Policy Corner and Legislative
Action Alerts are made possible by the Centre for
Neuro Skills, James F. Humphreys & Associates,
and Lakeview Healthcare Systems, Inc. The Brain
Injury Association of America gratefully
acknowledges their support for legislative action.
To sign up to receive future BIAA Policy Corner
E-Newsletters and Legislative Action Alerts,
please go to http://capwiz.com/bia/mlm/signup/
Brain Injury Association of America Legislative
Alert - April 24, 2009
Urge House Members to Cosponsor HR 1483,
The National Neurotechnology Initiative Act of
2009 Take
Action!
As reported in an earlier edition of
Policy Corner, members of the House of
Representatives have introduced the National
Neurotechnology Initiative Act (HR 1483), a bill
designed to foster new discoveries and accelerate
the development of new and safer treatments for
Americans living with brain-related illness,
injury or disease.
The sponsors of this Act, Representative Patrick
J. Kennedy (D-RI 1st) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
(R-FL 18th), have called upon Congress to reverse
the growing economic burden generated by
brain-related illness, which exceeds $1 trillion
per year in the U.S. due to healthcare costs and
lost income.
Because of the importance of this initiative to
the brain injury community, it is vital for us to
encourage support for the bill and urge as many
Congressional Members as possible to sign on as
cosponsors!
Stay tuned in the coming weeks for an alert
focused on Senate participation in the
Neurotechnology Initiative!
In This Issue:
Healthcare Reform
Appropriations Update
HHS Nomination
DRRC Testimony to ICDR
Following a two week recess, Congress was back in
the swing of things this week moving forward on
preliminary meetings regarding healthcare reform
as well as negotiations on the pending 2010 budget
resolution.
Healthcare Reform
Next week, BIAA will engage in a series of
meetings in the House, Senate, and the White House
to discuss healthcare reform principles that would
benefit the brain injury community. Please be sure
to check back in next week's Policy Corner for
action instructions. We need everyone's support to
make sure that people with brain injury are heard
in this debate!
Appropriations Update
This week, the House and Senate have agreed on
a tentative deal on major elements of the fiscal
year 2010 budget resolution which includes
fast-track procedures for healthcare reform, but
would cut $10 billion from the President's
discretionary spending request.
The negotiators plan to hold a formal conference
committee meeting next week. In the mean time,
behind-the-scenes negotiations will continue today
and through the weekend. According to CQ,
democratic leaders would like to have the final
budget adopted next week as President Obama marks
his first 100 days in office.
BIAA will continue to monitor the situation as the
Appropriations process moves forward.
Senate Approves HHS Nomination
On Tuesday, a Senate panel approved the
nomination of Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius to be
Health and Human Services secretary, clearing the
way for her expected confirmation, although the
timing of a vote is unclear.
BIAA will watch this process closely as Healthcare
Reform continues to take shape.
Interagency Committee on Disability Research
Recommendations
Last week, as part of the Disability and
Rehabilitation Research Coalition, BIAA answered
the call for research topic recommendations by the
Interagency Committee on Disability Research (ICDR).
The their testimony, DRRC focused on how well the
existing federal research programs are responding
to the changing needs of individuals with
disabilities and suggested specific ways to
improve future disability and rehabilitation
research such as:
* Develop a comprehensive government-wide
strategic plan for disability and rehabilitation
research.
* Develop government-wide methods for identifying
disability and rehabilitation research as well as
subtopics (e.g., studies of body
structure/function deficits, activities,
participation, capacity building activities,
treatment and service effectiveness research) so
that the magnitude and trends in disability and
rehabilitation research across various agencies
can be tracked.
* Develop guiding principles for conducting
disability and rehabilitation research.
* Support a research agenda-setting summit
bringing together policymakers, representatives
from federal agencies, non-governmental funders of
rehabilitation research, and organizations
representing researchers, providers, and
individuals with disabilities. The agenda should
include but not be limited to consideration of the
recommendations by IOM in the 1991, 1997 and 2007
reports on disability; what about the President's
New Freedom Commission in Mental Health
Recommendations ( 2003) and the recommendations of
the Rehabilitation Medicine Summit: Building
Research Capacity (April 2005), as well as a
review of the progress the nation has made in
implementing these recommendations.
* Increase federal funding significantly in
various agencies performing rehabilitation and
disability research.
* Elevate the status of NCMRR within the National
Institutes of Health.
* Clarify NIDRR's role to include health and
function research as integrally related to
employment and community participation research,
or Congress may want to consider moving the health
and function responsibilities to another agency.
* Create an Office of Disability and Health in the
CDC.
* Examine the role of the VA/DoD research programs
and enhance the interaction between these programs
and civilian disability and rehabilitation
research capacity.
* Expand support for efficacy studies documenting
the benefit (including cost-benefit) of
rehabilitation services, supports, treatments, and
devices, including support for large scale
randomized clinical trials (where appropriate).
* Support efforts to enhance knowledge translation
so that research is more efficiently translated to
practice and practice to research in the
rehabilitation and disability fields.
* Expand and improve the authority of ICDR to
coordinate disability and rehabilitation research
among the federal agencies.
*Distributed by Sarah D’Orsie, BIAA Director of
Government Affairs, on behalf of the Brain Injury
Association of America; 703-761-0750 ext. 637; sdorsie@biausa.orgBIAA’s Policy Corner and Legislative
Action Alerts are made possible by the Centre for
Neuro Skills, James F. Humphreys & Associates,
and Lakeview Healthcare Systems, Inc. The Brain
Injury Association of America gratefully
acknowledges their support for legislative action.
To sign up to receive future BIAA Policy Corner
E-Newsletters and Legislative Action Alerts,
please go to http://capwiz.com/bia/mlm/signup/
Brain Injury Association of America Legislative
Alert - April 3, 2009
Appropriations Update
The Senate adopted its fiscal 2010 budget
resolution (S Con Res 85) Thursday night, a few
hours after the house adopted its version (H Con
Res 85).
While neither budget exactly mirrors President
Obama's proposal, they do pave the way for
implementing his proposals on health care, energy
and education. Conference negotiations will focus
on whether to include provisions that would, like
the House plan, allow health care overhaul
legislation move through the filibuster proof
reconciliation process and how much in
discretionary spending should be provided to the
Appropriations panels to write the 12 annual
spending bills.
According to Congressional Quarterly, the
Senate plan would provide the Appropriations panel
with $1.08 trillion, which is $15 billion less
than the president requested and about $8 billion
less than the House resolution.
BIAA will continue to closely monitor the
situation and will await the arrival of the
President's full detailed budget that is expected
to come out at the beginning of May.
TBI Act Appropriations
This week, BIAA and other brain injury
stakeholders met with Appropriations staff on both
the Senate and the House Subcommittees on Labor,
Health and Human Services, Education and related
agencies to promote our funding goals for the
programs authorized through the TBI Act. In line
with this year's policy goals, BIAA detailed the
need for the following funding:
* $11 million for the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention TBI Registries and Surveillance,
Prevention and National Public Education/Awareness
* $20 million for the Health Resources and
Services Administration (HRSA) Federal TBI State
Grant Program
* $6 million for the HRSA Federal TBI Protection
& Advocacy (P&A) Systems Grant Program
BIAA will continue to advocate for these funding
levels as the FY10 appropriations process moves
forward this spring.
*Due to the Congressional recess, the next
edition of policy corner will be on Friday, April
24, 2009.
*Distributed by Sarah D’Orsie, BIAA Director of
Government Affairs, on behalf of the Brain Injury
Association of America; 703-761-0750 ext. 637; sdorsie@biausa.orgBIAA’s Policy Corner and Legislative
Action Alerts are made possible by the Centre for
Neuro Skills, James F. Humphreys & Associates,
and Lakeview Healthcare Systems, Inc. The Brain
Injury Association of America gratefully
acknowledges their support for legislative action.
To sign up to receive future BIAA Policy Corner
E-Newsletters and Legislative Action Alerts,
please go to http://capwiz.com/bia/mlm/signup/
Brain Injury Association of America Legislative
Alert - March 27, 2009
Congressional Brain Injury Task Force
Awareness Day on Capitol Hill
On Wednesday, BIAA participated in a day-long
awareness day on Capitol Hill sponsored by the
Congressional Brain Injury Task Force.
During the first event of the day, the Brain
Injury Awareness Fair, BIAA manned an exhibit
inspired by always creative BIA of Wyoming. The
brain injury "empathy experience"
allowed both members of Congress and their staff
to participate in several activities that
simulated some of the long term effects associated
with experiencing brain injury.
With over 45 exhibits, this year's fair proved to
be the best attended yet! Many of BIA's state
affiliates and survivor advocates were able to
participate making the day as a whole wildly
successful.
The fair was followed by a briefing in the Cannon
Caucus room pertaining to this year's theme,
"From the Football Field to the
Battlefield." The speakers included, Chris
Nowinski, Founder of the Sports Legacy Institute,
Author, Former WWE Professional Wrestler and
member of BIAA's board of directors.
The final event of the evening, the Congressional
reception, honored the hard work of both
Congressman Pascrell and Platts, as co-chairmen of
the Task force for their dedication to further
education and awareness of brain injury and their
support for funding for basic and applied research
and access to brain injury care.
Brain Injury Awareness Month Resolution
On Monday the House adopted by voice vote,
H.Res.178, a resolution expressing the need for
enhanced public awareness of traumatic brain
injury and support for the designation of a
National Brain Injury Awareness Month. Several
Congressmen, including Congressman Bill Pascrell,
Jr., Co-Chairman of the Congressional Brain Injury
Task Force were on hand to extend comments on the
house floor regarding the importance of this
issue.
In conjunction with the House Resolution,
President Obama issued a proclamation officially
designating March as Brain Injury Awareness Month.
This show of support from both the House of
Representatives and the Executive branch is
unprecedented in recent years. BIAA has worked
tirelessly with the Congressional Brain Injury
Task Force to ensure its success.
Appropriations Update
This week, both House and Senate Budget Committees
adopted budget resolutions creating the framework
for this year's spending bills.
Although both plans largely adhere to the
priorities that President Obama laid out in
February, they also scale back some of his
spending and tax measures for fiscal year 2010,
with the House proposing $7 billion less in
discretionary spending and the Senate trimming
about $15 billion.
Notably, the House resolution, adopted late
Wednesday night, contains reconciliation
instructions for legislation to implement
President Obama's health and education policies.
More specifically, these provisions would allow
Congress to move both an overhaul of the health
care system and changes to education programs
through the budget reconciliation process, a
fast-track procedure that limits debate and bars
filibusters in the Senate. The Senate resolution
includes no similar provisions.
The President's full budget, including a detailed
appendix that would include specific programs, is
expected to be revealed next month. Congress will
then review the proposed spending levels for these
individual programs in order to begin assembling
FY10 Appropriations measures.
BIAA will continue to monitor these developments
and take action accordingly.
National Association of State Head Injury
Administrators (NASHIA) Policy Conference
On Thursday, BIAA participated in the first annual
NASHIA Policy Conference. The conference focused
on various healthcare reform proposals and their
impact of those with Traumatic Brain Injury. The
conversation revolved around both civilians and
veterans who need access to a range of both acute
and post-acute rehabilitation along with other
support services.
*Distributed by Sarah D’Orsie, BIAA Director of
Government Affairs, on behalf of the Brain Injury
Association of America; 703-761-0750 ext. 637; sdorsie@biausa.orgBIAA’s Policy Corner and Legislative
Action Alerts are made possible by the Centre for
Neuro Skills, James F. Humphreys & Associates,
and Lakeview Healthcare Systems, Inc. The Brain
Injury Association of America gratefully
acknowledges their support for legislative action.
To sign up to receive future BIAA Policy Corner
E-Newsletters and Legislative Action Alerts,
please go to http://capwiz.com/bia/mlm/signup/
Brain Injury Association of America Legislative
Alert - March 20, 2009
Appropriations Update
This week, BIAA mobilized grassroots advocates by
sending out an action alert regarding FY2010
appropriations.
The message detailed that over the next few weeks,
both the House and Senate Appropriations
Subcommittees will be working to craft the FY 2010
Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS), and
Education Appropriations bill, which will provide
the funding allocation for NIDRR's TBI-related
research programs, including TBI Model Systems of
Care, as well as programs authorized through the
TBI Act.
The alert and the action letter can be found in
the policy and legislation, legislation action
center section of our website, biausa.org.
BIAA Unveils Legislative Agenda for 2009
This week, in preparation for Brain Injury
Awareness Day on Capitol Hill, BIAA unveiled its
legislative agenda. With the impending healthcare
reform movement looming, BIAA has made access to
brain injury care the cornerstone of this year's
priorities.
Also, as always, BIAA will be focusing on
increased funding for TBI Act programs, as well as
promoting funding for Health and function
research---including the TBI Model Systems;
Rehabilitation, Research & Training Centers;
and field-initiated investigations---within the
National Institute on Disability and
Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR). Finally, BIAA
will continue to fight for returning service
members to have access to cognitive rehabilitation
and advocate for increased membership in the
Congressional Brain Injury Task Force.
A link to BIAA's full fact sheets and legislative
goals can be found on our home page under Red
Hot Policy News.
Congressional Brain Injury Task Force Awareness
Day
Next week on Wednesday, March 25, 2009, The
Congressional Brain Injury Task Force will be
sponsoring a full day of events centered around
promoting brain injury awareness.
This year's theme is "Mild Traumatic Brain
Injuries: From the Football Field to the
Battlefield." The events will include a fair
featuring 46 exhibits, a Congressional briefing
including speakers such as Chris Nowinski, (Founder
of the Sports Legacy Institute, Author, Former WWE
Professional Wrestler and a member of BIAA's board
of directors) and a Congressional Reception.
For a full schedule and list of briefing speakers,
follow the link entitled legislative fact
sheets and other references that can be found
on BIAA's homepage at www.biausa.org.
*Distributed by Sarah D’Orsie, BIAA Director of
Government Affairs, on behalf of the Brain Injury
Association of America; 703-761-0750 ext. 637; sdorsie@biausa.orgBIAA’s Policy Corner and Legislative
Action Alerts are made possible by the Centre for
Neuro Skills, James F. Humphreys & Associates,
and Lakeview Healthcare Systems, Inc. The Brain
Injury Association of America gratefully
acknowledges their support for legislative action.
To sign up to receive future BIAA Policy Corner
E-Newsletters and Legislative Action Alerts,
please go to http://capwiz.com/bia/mlm/signup/
Brain Injury Association of America Legislative
Alert - March 18, 2009
Urge Congress to Increase TBI Funding in
FY10
Appropriations Action on Federal TBI Programs
Just Around The Corner
Over the next few weeks, both the House and
Senate Appropriations Subcommittees will be
working to craft the FY 2010 Labor, Health and
Human Services (HHS), and Education Appropriations
bill, which will provide the funding allocation
for programs authorized through the TBI Act and
for NIDRR's TBI-related research programs,
including TBI Model Systems of Care.
Federal funding for these important TBI
programs has remained stagnant over the last
several years, as Congress has not provided
increases sufficient to keep up with the
increasing cost of doing business. The urgent need
for increased federal support for a national TBI
public health infrastructure and TBI research is
further heightened by the recognition of TBI as
the signature wound of the wars in Iraq and
Afghanistan.
With a new Administration in power, and a
renewed focus on improving the nation's health
care system, the need to adequately fund TBI
programs must be clearly communicated to Members
of Congress IMMEDIATELY.
To urge your representatives in Congress to
increase funding for TBI programs this year, click
the "Take Action" link in the upper
right-hand corner of this email.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
For more information on NIDRR's TBI-related
research programs, including TBI Model Systems of
Care, CLICK
HERE
Stay tuned for additional alerts in the near
future, as things start to heat up with FY10
Appropriations!
This Action Alert was prepared for BIAA members
and associated TBI advocates by Sarah D'Orsie,
BIAA Director of Government Affairs.
Please feel free to circulate this alert widely
to friends, neighbors, colleagues and any other
interested parties - Congress needs to hear from
the TBI community now more than ever!
*Distributed by Sarah D’Orsie, BIAA Director of
Government Affairs, on behalf of the Brain Injury
Association of America; 703-761-0750 ext. 637; sdorsie@biausa.orgBIAA’s Policy Corner and Legislative
Action Alerts are made possible by the Centre for
Neuro Skills, James F. Humphreys & Associates,
and Lakeview Healthcare Systems, Inc. The Brain
Injury Association of America gratefully
acknowledges their support for legislative action.
To sign up to receive future BIAA Policy Corner
E-Newsletters and Legislative Action Alerts,
please go to http://capwiz.com/bia/mlm/signup/
Brain Injury Association of America Legislative
Alert - March 13, 2009
It's that time again! This week BIAA
joined other brain injury stakeholders in
authoring and submitting fiscal year 2010
Appropriations requests to the Congressional Brain
Injury Task Force. The task force, led by
Representative, Bill Pascrell, Jr., and Rep. Todd
R. Platts issued a dear colleague letter to fellow
house members in line with these requests:
* $11 million for the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) TBI Registries, Surveillance,
Prevention, and
National Public Education and Awareness;
* $20 million for the Health Resources and
Services Administration (HRSA) Federal TBI State
Grant Program;
* $6 million for the HRSA Federal TBI Protection
& Advocacy (P&A) Systems Grant Program;
and
* $13.3 million for the NIDRRs TBI Model Systems
of Care Program.
As we move forward with FY10 Appropriations, BIAA
will closely monitor the situation and continue to
advocate for TBI related programs!
Lifetime Insurance Caps Bill Update
As part of the lifetime caps coalition, BIAA has
been working to advance two important bills, HR
1085 and S 442 (the Health Insurance Coverage
Protection Act). These measures would raise
lifetime health insurance caps to $10 million in
order to better protect people that require post
acute rehabilitation or other means of long-term
care.
BIAA strongly supports this legislation and has
worked tirelessly to advocate for the access to
care that this bill embodies. Currently, there are
fifteen cosponsors in the House and three Senate
cosponsors. Notably, BIAA advocates have
contributed directly to ensuring cosponsorship of
HR 1085!
National Neurotech Bill Introduced
This week members of both houses of Congress
introduced the National Neurotechnology Initiative
(NNTI) Act, a bill designed to foster new
discoveries and accelerate the development of new
and safer treatments for Americans living with a
brain-related illness, injury or disease.
The sponsors of this Act, Senator Patty Murray
(D-WA) and Representatives Patrick J. Kennedy
(D-RI 1st) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL 18th),
have called upon Congress to reverse the growing
economic burden generated by brain-related
illness, which exceeds $1 trillion per year in the
U.S. due to healthcare costs and lost income.
BIAA strongly supports this initiative and will
continue to monitor the bill closely.
. BIAA Participates in Military Health Support
Systems Conference
On March 11, 2009, BIAA's President and CEO, Susan
Connors spoke to a group of military health
support personnel, physicians and service members
about living with the effects of brain injury.
Susan noted that the stigma associated with brain
injury in the military is likely due to a severe
lack of awareness about TBI and inaccurate beliefs
about recovery time and the extent of recovery
expected. Also, the sense that physical wounds are
more deserving of treatment and the notion that
experiencing a brain injury could be viewed as a
sign of weakness among peers are both examples of
scenarios that could prevent service members from
seeking treatment.
In conclusion, Susan stressed that the military
TBI advocacy needed at this time includes, but is
not limited to, proper screening, caregiver
assistance, and access to the best brain injury
care that our country has to offer.
BIAA Issues Individual Comments on NIDRR's Long
Range Plan to the Department of Education
This week, BIAA issued comments regarding the
proposed long range plan (Fiscal Years 2010-2014)
for the National Institute on Disability and
Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR).
The NIDRR proposal focuses mainly on employment,
making only passing references to health and
function research.
In the comments, BIAA urges NIDRR to restore
the broad focus of research and development
activities by recognizing the critical importance
of all major life domains affecting persons with
brain injury specifically, i.e., participation and
community living, health and function, as well as
employment.
BIAA also distributed the letter to each state
affiliate in order to maximize the responses given
to NIDRR. This united front will help ensure that
NIDDR recognizes the importance of sustaining
health and function research, a program that is
vital to brain injury research.
St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center Issues
Report to Congress
At a Capitol Hill briefing on Thursday, St.
Joseph's Regional Medical Center of Paterson, NJ,
in conjunction with the Congressional Brain Injury
Task Force, announced the official recommendations
of the International Conference on Behavioral
Health and Traumatic Brain Injury that was held in
October of 2008.
Experts in field of TBI, PTSD and psychological
health called on Congress to provide wounded
service members with care equal to that offered by
the private sector, to develop health-centric
tools for warriors, to establish
scientifically-valid standards of care, and to
better disseminate TBI and PTSD research. The
report also proposes a nationwide network of
partnered agencies, organizations, and programs
that will coordinate and disseminate resources,
information, referral contacts and support, with
aggressive outreach to rural areas and underserved
populations.
*Distributed by Sarah D’Orsie, BIAA Director of
Government Affairs, on behalf of the Brain Injury
Association of America; 703-761-0750 ext. 637; sdorsie@biausa.orgBIAA’s Policy Corner and Legislative
Action Alerts are made possible by the Centre for
Neuro Skills, James F. Humphreys & Associates,
and Lakeview Healthcare Systems, Inc. The Brain
Injury Association of America gratefully
acknowledges their support for legislative action.
To sign up to receive future BIAA Policy Corner
E-Newsletters and Legislative Action Alerts,
please go to http://capwiz.com/bia/mlm/signup/
Brain Injury Association of America Legislative
Alert - March 6, 2009
Appropriations Update
The Fiscal 2009 Omnibus Appropriations (H.R. 1105)
bill stalled once again in the Senate on Thursday
night. The chamber's plan to return on Friday to
complete work on the $410 billion dollar spending
bill was stopped short by the inability of
Democrats to secure enough votes to invoke cloture
and limit debate on the measure, thus making it
ineligible for a final vote.
LATE-BREAKING NEWS!
According to CQ, Majority Leader Harry Reid filed
for cloture late Friday morning, signaling that he
feels confident that there are now sufficient
votes to end debate and pass the bill. Reid
reported that negotiations had led to an agreement
tp permit votes on 12 GOP amendments to the bill
before an anticipated stopgap continuing
resolution expires next Wednesday, March 11.
The current plan now is to have the Senate vote on
the amendments Monday night and then vote to clear
the bill Tuesday.
BIAA will continue to monitor these important
developments. If any action is needed we will
notify advocates at that time.
President Obama Hosts Healthcare Forum
On Thursday, President Barack Obama held a White
House summit on health care reform. At the summit,
President Obama made his intentions clear that an
overhaul of the nation's healthcare system should
be completed by the end of this year. The
President addressed a room full of lawmakers,
healthcare providers, labor unions, and
journalists calling healthcare reform a
"fiscal imperative" vital to restoring
the nation's economic status.
In his opening address, the President detailed
that the purpose of the summit was to determine
how to improve quality of care and access to care
in an inclusive and transparent manner. He
specifically noted that American small businesses
are struggling to insure their employees and large
corporations are battling to compete with overseas
entities. He also expressed the fact that Medicare
costs are a substantial burden on the federal
budget and Medicaid expenses are consuming much of
the states' budgets.
The President addressed the need for an investment
in reform that will lower costs, create jobs, and
help to erase our nation's deficit in the long
term.
Peter Thomas of Powers, Pyles, Sutter and Verville
PC attended the White House summit as a
representative of the Consortium for Citizens with
Disability's (CCD) Health Task Force, of which
BIAA is a member.
FY10 Defense Appropriations Hearing Featuring
the Defense Center of Excellence TBI Program
On Tuesday, March 3, 2009, the House
Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense held a
hearing to address the need to improve the quality
of care for servicemembers suffering from
traumatic brain injury.
The witness list included, Ellen Embry, the Deputy
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Force Health
Protection and Gen. Loree Sutton, the Special
Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense
for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain
Injury.
General Sutton shared with the Committee that the
Defense Centers of Excellence is committed to
research that is aimed at understanding the
differences between blast injuries that would
occur on the battlefield and concussions that may
be experienced on a football field or during
civilian activities. The spectrum of ingredients
that include life-threatening situations,
psychological stressors, and moral conflicts are
all factors that contribute to the unique nature
of brain injury incurred through battle.
NIDRR Proposed Long-Range Plan
This week, as part of the Disability and
Rehabilitaion Research Coalition (DRRC), BIAA
signed on to comments regarding the proposed long
range plan (Fiscal Years 2010-2014) for the
National Institute on Disability and
Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR).
The NIDRR proposal focuses mainly on employment,
making only passing references to health and
function research.
In the comments, BIAA and other members of the
DRRC urge NIDRR to restore the broad focus of
research and development activities by recognizing
the critical importance of all major life domains
affecting persons with disabilities, i.e.,
participation and community living, health and
function, as well as employment.
President Obama Nominates Kansas Governor for
Health and Human Services Post
As reported by CQ, President Obama nominated
Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas as
secretary of Health and Human Services. No
confirmation hearing has been scheduled yet, but
Sebelius will eventually go before the Senate
Finance Committee. BIAA will continue to monitor
this nomination.
*Distributed by Sarah D’Orsie, BIAA Director of
Government Affairs, on behalf of the Brain Injury
Association of America; 703-761-0750 ext. 637; sdorsie@biausa.orgBIAA’s Policy Corner and Legislative
Action Alerts are made possible by the Centre for
Neuro Skills, James F. Humphreys & Associates,
and Lakeview Healthcare Systems, Inc. The Brain
Injury Association of America gratefully
acknowledges their support for legislative action.
To sign up to receive future BIAA Policy Corner
E-Newsletters and Legislative Action Alerts,
please go to http://capwiz.com/bia/mlm/signup/
Brain Injury Association of America Legislative
Alert - March 5, 2009
FY09 Omnibus Appropriations
On February 25, the House passed the FY 2009
omnibus spending bill covering the Department of
Health and Human Services, the Department of
Labor, and the Department of Education. These
agencies are currently being funded at 2008 levels
under a continuing resolution that is set to
expire on March 6, 2009. The Senate is expected to
consider the bill this week.
Department of Education
The FY09 omnibus bill allocates nearly $108
million for the National Institute on Disability
and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) which supports
disability research, demonstration projects, and
related activities for individuals with
disabilities.
The bill includes language directing the increase
in funding to be used to restore the number of
rehabilitation research and training centers (RRTCs)
focusing on issues of traumatic brain injury,
arthritis, neuromuscular disease and spinal cord
injury.
Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
As a component of the TBI Act, the line item
specification in the omnibus legislation allocates
$6.137 Million for CDC, an increase of $428,000
from Fiscal Year 2008.
National Institute of Health (NIH)
The omnibus bill provides just over $30 billion
for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), over
$1 billion more than the budget request, and the
first time the agency's one year budget has
exceeded $30 billion. After accounting for this
increase and the additional temporary funding in
the recent stimulus legislation, NIH will have $11
billion over their existing budget to spend over
the next two years.
The NIH has reported that this influx of funds
will allow the agency to capitalize on
unprecedented scientific opportunities with almost
10,600 new research grants. Before this infusion,
funding for NIH projects had been at critically
low levels.
Most importantly, the bill provides nearly $1.6
billion for the National Institute of Neurological
Disorders and Stroke, $52 million more than the
2008 level.
(Pyles, Powers, Sutter, & Verville
appropriations memo, February 26, 2009)
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
Another component of the TBI Act funding, HRSA
State Grants for TBI and Traumatic Brain Injury
Protection and Advocacy Services, together
received nearly $9.9 million, an increase of about
$1.1 million dollars from last year. It is unclear
at this point the allocation for each component.
Social Security Administration
To address the mounting backlog of disability
claims at the Social Security Administration,
improve claims processing times, and support field
offices, the bill provides $10.5 billion to combat
these pitfalls.
(Pyles, Powers, Sutter, & Verville
appropriations memo, February 26, 2009)
Presidential Budget
On Tuesday, February 24, 2009, President Obama
addressed Congress and the Nation to announce an
overall plan to spend $634 billion on healthcare
reform.
The President's address simply provided a general
overview of his budget that will be released in
its entirety later this spring. Given that this
was just an overview, no specific traumatic brain
injury funding levels were released, however, BIAA
will continue to monitor the situation this spring
when the full detailed budget is presented.
*Distributed by Sarah D’Orsie, BIAA Director of
Government Affairs, on behalf of the Brain Injury
Association of America; 703-761-0750 ext. 637; sdorsie@biausa.orgBIAA’s Policy Corner and Legislative
Action Alerts are made possible by the Centre for
Neuro Skills, James F. Humphreys & Associates,
and Lakeview Healthcare Systems, Inc. The Brain
Injury Association of America gratefully
acknowledges their support for legislative action.
To sign up to receive future BIAA Policy Corner
E-Newsletters and Legislative Action Alerts,
please go to http://capwiz.com/bia/mlm/signup/
Federal Agency
Watch Legislative
Alert - February 27, 2009
FEDERAL AGENCY WATCH
March 2009
Federal Agency Watch is a
synthesis of Federal agency news and activities
related to traumatic brain injury. Federal Agency
Watch is sent on a quarterly basis to keep those
involved with traumatic brain injury informed
on the Federal level.
In this issue:
Department of Education
- NIDRR Funds New National
Center for Parents
Department of Health and Human
Services
- President Obama Selects Top
Rural Health Care Advocate to Oversee Key HHS
Agency
- CMS Issues Final Rule for
Redesigning Medicaid, States Have Greater
Flexibility in Benefit Offerings
- Office on Disability at HHS
Announces New Deputy Director
- Promoting Innovation in
Financing Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Services
Department of Homeland Security
- “Ready” Campaign
Information for People with Disabilities and Older
Americans
Department of Housing and Urban
Development
- Announcement of More than $650
Million to Help Very Low-Income Elderly and People
with Disabilities
Department of Justice
- OJJDP Bulletin Examines
Juvenile Suicide in Confinement
Department of Labor
- New Monthly Data Series on the
Employment Status of People with a Disability
Department of Transportation
- NHTSA Study: More Than 1,700
Fatalities, 840,000 Injuries Yearly Due to Vehicle
Incidents Off Public Highways
Social Security Administration
- Social Security to be First
Government Agency to Use Nationwide Health
Information Network
- National Institute on
Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR)
- NIDRR Funds New National
Center for Parents
A new National Center for
Parents with Disabilities and their Families has
been established in Berkeley, California under the
auspices of Through the Looking Glass, a
non-profit organization founded in 1982. The
Center will oversee several national research
studies concerning parents with disabilities and
their families, as well as provide consultations,
trainings and publications to parents, family
members and professionals.
The research and resources of
the Center will address the nearly 9 million U.S.
parents with disabilities - 15% of all American
families. Parents with disabilities include
mothers and fathers in all disability categories -
such as parents with physical disabilities, deaf
parents, blind parents, parents with psychiatric
or cognitive disabilities. The Center is funded by
a $500,000 per year Federal grant for three years
from the Washington, DC- based National Institute
on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR),
U.S. Department of Education.
The new Center will focus its
research and resource activities on four critical
areas that impact parents with disabilities:
custody, family roles and personal assistance;
paratransit; and, intervention with parents with
cognitive disabilities and their children. One of
the notable activities planned over the next three
years is a scholarship program for high school
seniors and college students whose parents have
disabilities. The Center will be staffed by
nationally recognized experts regarding parents
with disabilities, most of whom have personal or
family experience with disability or deafness.
More information about the
Center and Through the Looking Glass is available
at the organization's web site (<<http://lookingglass.org>>),
through two toll-free numbers, 800-644-2666
(voice), 800-804-1616 (TDD/TTY), or by email at tlg@lookingglass.org
********************************************
Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS) - Health Resources and Services
Administration (HRSA)
- President Obama Selects Top
Rural Health Care Advocate to Oversee Key HHS
Agency
President Obama announced the
appointment of one of the nation’s top rural
health care professionals as Administrator of the
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
Dr. Mary Wakefield, Director of the Center for
Rural Health at the University of North Dakota,
will oversee this critical agency, which helps to
deliver health care to those who are uninsured and
underserved by our current health care system.
In addition to Community Health
Centers across the country upon which millions of
uninsured Americans depend for coverage, HRSA
oversees many programs that the Federal government
runs to bring health care providers to underserved
areas throughout the nation. In addition, HRSA
will administer
$2.5 billion allocated in the
Recovery Act to invest in our health care
infrastructure and train health care
professionals.
Dr. Wakefield’s Bio:
Dr. Mary Wakefield was most
recently the Associate Dean for Rural Health at
the University of North Dakota School of Medicine
and Health Sciences, where she was a tenured
professor and Director of the Center for Rural
Health. Dr. Wakefield has expertise in rural
health care, quality and patient safety, Medicare
payment policy, workforce issues, and public
policy. She has authored many articles and columns
on health policy and is on the editorial board of
a number of professional journals.
Dr. Wakefield previously served
as director of the Center for Health Policy,
Research, and Ethics at George Mason University in
Fairfax, VA. She also served as the Chief of Staff
for United States Senator Kent Conrad (D-
ND) from January 1993 to January
1996 and as Legislative Assistant and Chief of
Staff to Senator Quentin Burdick (D-ND).
Dr. Wakefield has served as a
member of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
and the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Special
Medical Advisory Group. She served as Chair of the
Institute of Medicine (IOM) Committee on Health
Care Quality for Rural America and of the Catholic
Health Initiatives Board of Trustees, and was a
subcommittee chair for President Clinton's
Advisory Commission on Consumer Protection and
Quality in the Health Care Industry.
Dr. Wakefield received her M.S.
in nursing and her Doctor of Philosophy from the
University of Texas at Austin and her B.S. in
nursing from the University of Mary at Bismarck,
ND. She is a fellow in the American Academy of
Nursing, and is a recipient of numerous awards
including the American Organization of Nurse
Executives (AONE) 2006 Nurse Research Award and
the 2008 Nursing Economics Margaret D. Sovie
Writer's Award.
----------------------------------------
Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS) - Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services (CMS)
- CMS Issues Final Rule for
Redesigning Medicaid, States Have Greater
Flexibility in Benefit Offerings
A final regulation giving States
unprecedented flexibility in designing their own
Medicaid programs, including adjusting their
benefit package to more closely align with
beneficiary needs was announced by the Centers for
Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
The rule implements provisions
of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA).
The rule is the latest in a
series of regulations to implement the
administration’s goals of aligning Medicaid more
closely with private market insurance and giving
States more control over their Medicaid benefits
packages. Many of those regulations, however, are
the subject of a congressional moratorium.
Benchmark plans are models
States can use in designing new programs. These
benchmark plans are similar to the flexibility
provided to States under the State Children’s
Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Benchmark
coverage
includes:
- The standard Blue Cross/Blue
Shield preferred provider option service benefit
plan under the Federal Employees Health Benefit
Plan;
- State employee coverage;
- Coverage that is offered by
the largest commercial health maintenance
organization in the State; or
- Coverage that the Secretary of
Health and Human Services approves.
These benchmark options provide
States with the opportunity to target benefits to
meet the specific needs of individuals. In some
cases, State employee benchmark coverage may be
more generous than the State Medicaid plan.
Approved coverage may offer the opportunity for
disabled individuals to obtain integrated coverage
for acute care and community-based long term care.
For individuals who cannot
afford the premiums associated with health
insurance offered through their employer, States
have the option of paying part of the employee
premium to make it more affordable, so the
employee can maintain private coverage. These
proposed rules also give States the flexibility to
provide wrap-around and additional benefits, such
as dental coverage.
CMS also published a final rule
that gives States the flexibility to change
current premiums and cost sharing requirements.
The rule implements Sections 6041, 6042, and 6043
of the DRA, and closely follows what is allowed
under SCHIP. Individuals with family income below
100 percent of the Federal poverty level (FPL) can
be charged only “nominal” cost sharing and
premiums. Higher out-of-pocket charges can be
charged to individuals with incomes above 150
percent of the FPL. As in SCHIP, all cost sharing
must be limited to no more than 5 percent of the
family’s income. The 2008 FPL for a family of
four is $21,200.
Both final rules are available
on the “Federal Register” web site HERE
----------------------------------------
Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS) - Office of Disability (OD)
- Office on Disability at HHS
Announces New Deputy Director
The Office on Disability (OD),
Office of the Secretary, Department of Health and
Human Services (HHS) is pleased to announce the
appointment of Michael Marge, Ed.D. as the new
Deputy Director of OD.
The Director of the Office of
Disability, Dr. Margaret Giannini, has resigned as
of January 16, 2009. Until the new HHS Secretary
appoints a Director, Dr. Marge will serve as
Acting Director for the new Administration.
Dr. Marge will provide
scientific and technical leadership and direction
to the programs of OD. He will assist the Director
in the development and implementation of strategic
plans; in monitoring the implementation of OD's
Initiatives, providing analysis and coordination
as needed; recommending courses of action to the
Director in the resolution of major decisions and
concerns which may be sensitive and may require
delicate negotiation or resolution; managing
research, grant reviews and writing of
comprehensive reports; and supervising staff,
assigning and reviewing work, identifying training
needs, and evaluating performance. His
responsibilities encompass disability issues and
programs across all agencies within HHS, both
nationally and internationally.
Prior to joining OD, Dr. Marge
was a Scientific and Technical Advisor to the
Director of the Office on Disability. He developed
and implemented two major OD priorities: The
National Initiative on Closing the Gaps in Health
Care and Early Intervention Services for Infants
and Young Children with Hearing Loss and the
National Initiative on Physical Fitness for
Children and Youth with Disabilities (the I Can Do
It, You Can Do It Program). He also served as a
Professional Consultant and Advisor for the
Foundation of the National Institutes of Health,
Bethesda, Maryland, assisting in the
implementation of its National Initiative on
Physical Fitness for Children and Youth with
Disabilities.
----------------------------------------
Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS) - Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration (SAMHSA)
- Promoting Innovation in
Financing Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Services
The Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced
the creation of a new financing center of
excellence. Through the new center, SAMHSA will
create a national network of expertise for
generating new financing approaches as well as
promising practices developed by mental health and
substance abuse service programs and policy makers
across the country.
SAMHSA established the center
through a five-year contract for $7.3 million with
Deloitte Consulting LLP, which will set up and
manage the center.
Deloitte, public sector and
health care financing consultancy in the U.S., has
worked with over 47 States and territories and 80
percent of the largest managed care organizations
on health and human services financing issues.
Some center activities will
include:
- monitoring and analyzing
public and private mental health and substance
abuse treatment systems and major trends and
advances in service delivery financing;
- convening experts to identify
mechanisms to foster sustainable improvements in
the financing of mental health and substance abuse
prevention and treatment delivery systems; and
- communicating routinely to the
public about all facets of mental health and
substance abuse prevention and treatment
financing.
The center will draw upon the
services of leading experts in the fields of
public health financing as well as the services of
organizations that will serve as contractors to
Deloitte Consulting such as the National
Association of State Mental Health Program
Directors, National Association of State Alcohol
and Drug Abuse Directors, NASMPHD Research
Institute Inc, American Public Human Services
Association/National Association of State Medicaid
Directors, and Carnevale Associates.
If you have any questions about
the above information, please contact Heather
Crown at 301-656-3150 or hacrown@tbitac.nashia.org.
The Federal Agency Watch is
compiled by Heather Crown for the TBI Technical
Assistance Center at NASHIA. Federal Agency Watch
is supported by Contract No. 240-03-0014 from the
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS),
Health Resources and Services Administration,
Maternal and Child Health Bureau. The contents are
the sole responsibility of the authors and do not
necessarily represent the official views of HHS.
This information is in the public domain and may
be duplicated and distributed widely.
- “Ready” Campaign
Information for People with Disabilities and Older
Americans
“Ready” is a national public
service advertising campaign produced by The
Advertising Council for the Department of Homeland
Security, which is designed to educate and empower
Americans to prepare for and respond to
emergencies including natural disasters and
potential terrorist attacks.
As the Department encourages
families to prepare for emergencies through “Ready,”
they are regularly asked if there is information
appropriate for seniors and individuals with
disabilities. In response to these requests,
Homeland Security has partnered with several
national organizations to develop emergency
preparedness information for older Americans and
people with disabilities.
The Department of Homeland
Security consulted with a number of organizations
experienced in the health and well-being of older
Americans and people with disabilities to develop
“Ready” information tailored to their unique
needs. These organizations include AARP, American
Red Cross (Red Cross), the National Organization
on Disability (NOD) and the National Fire
Protection Association (NFPA).
Included in this “Ready”
Campaign information are brochures and
instructional videos that highlight the key steps
older Americans, individuals with disabilities,
their families and caretakers should take before
emergencies occur. The brochures and videos
encourage these Americans to make an emergency
supply kit including food and water, medications
and medical records, and personal items such as
eyeglasses, hearing aids, wheelchair batteries and
other appropriate supplies. The communication
pieces also recommend that individuals develop an
emergency plan that considers their unique needs
and a personal support network they can call upon
in the event of an emergency. In addition, the
brochures and videos urge Americans to learn more
about the types of emergencies that can happen in
their area and the appropriate responses.
The U.S. Census Bureau estimates
more than 84 million Americans are over age 50.
According to the National Organization on
Disability, 54 million men, women and children in
American have disabilities.
For free copies of the emergency
preparedness brochures for older Americans and
people with disabilities, visit the “Ready” web
site or call 1-800-BE-READY. As of December
31, 2008, more than 2.9 million “Ready”
brochures for older and disabled Americans have
been distributed. Additionally, the instructional
videos for older Americans and people with
disabilities and special needs are available HERE
for individuals to view or save for later use.
The Department highlights public
emergency preparedness through National
Preparedness Month, a nationwide effort held each
September to encourage Americans to take simple
steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes,
businesses and schools. In 2007, 1,800 national,
regional, State and local organizations
participated in National Preparedness Month by
distributing information, hosting events and
sponsoring activities across the country to
promote emergency preparedness. National
Preparedness Month 2007 consisted of four themed
weeks that focused on different areas of emergency
preparedness, including: back-to-school (“Ready
Kids”); business preparedness (“Ready Business”);
multicultural preparedness (“Listo”
Campaign); and home and family
preparedness, including pets, older Americans and
those individuals with disabilities and special
needs (“Ready America”).
Updated “Ready” information
regarding people with disabilities and older
Americans is attached. This information and
additional fact sheets (i.e. “Ready Kids”), as
well as instructional videos can be found HERE
********************************************
Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) - Announcement of More than $650
Million to Help Very Low-Income Elderly and People
with Disabilities
Thousands of very low-income
senior citizens and persons with disabilities will
be able to find affordable housing thanks to more
than $650 million in grants announced by the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The funding will provide
non-profit developers interest-free capital
advances to produce accessible housing, offer
rental assistance, and provide supportive services
for the elderly and persons with disabilities
through HUD's Section 202 and Section 811 grant
programs.
Section 202 Capital Advance
($525.9 million nationwide to assist very low-
income elderly) HUD's Section 202 Capital Advance
Program expands the supply of affordable housing
with supportive services for the elderly. It
provides very low-income persons 62-years and
older with the opportunity to live independently
in an environment that provides the services they
need.
In addition to funding the
construction, acquisition, and rehabilitation of
multifamily developments, HUD's Section 202
program subsidizes the rents of senior citizens so
they can limit their housing costs to only pay 30
percent of their incomes.
Section 811 Capital Advance
($124.5 million nationwide to assist very low-
income people with disabilities). Housing
constructed using interest-free capital advances
under HUD's Section 811 Program are primarily used
in smaller newly constructed buildings, typically
group homes for three to four people, or
condominium units. Eligible residents pay 30
percent of their income for rent and the Federal
government will pay the rest.
Households must have one or more
very low-income adult with physical or
developmental disability or living with chronic
mental illness.
The term "person with
disabilities" may also include two or more
people with disabilities living together, or one
or more persons with disabilities living with one
or more live-in attendants. The program provides
persons with disabilities the opportunity to live
independently in their communities by increasing
the supply of rental housing with the availability
of supportive services.
HUD provides the Section 202 and
Section 811 funds to non-profit organizations in
two forms: 1) Capital Advances. This is funding
that covers the cost of developing, acquiring, or
rehabilitating the development. 2) Project Rental
Assistance Contract (PRAC). This is funding that
goes to each development to cover the difference
between the residents' contributions toward rent
and the HUD-approved cost of operating the
project.
State-by-State breakdown of
individual funding summaries is available HERE
********************************************
Department of Justice (DOJ)
- Office of Juvenile Justice and
Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP)
- OJJDP Bulletin Examines
Juvenile Suicide in Confinement
The Office of Juvenile Justice
and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) has published
“Characteristics of Juvenile Suicide in
Confinement.”
This bulletin draws on data from
the first national survey of suicides of youth in
confinement, which was sponsored by OJJDP, to
review juvenile suicides that occurred in
confinement between 1995 and 1999. It describes
the demographic characteristics and social history
of the victims and examines the characteristics of
the facilities in which the suicides occurred. The
bulletin can be accessed HERE
A more comprehensive account of
the survey and its findings may be found in the
online report “Juvenile Suicide in Confinement:
A National Survey.”
Department of Labor (DOL) -
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) - New Monthly
Data Series on the Employment Status of People
with a Disability In June 2008, questions were
added to the Current Population Survey (CPS) to
identify persons with a disability in the civilian
non-institutional population age 16 and older. The
addition of these questions allowed the Bureau of
Labor Statistics (BLS) to begin releasing monthly
labor force data from the CPS for persons with a
disability. The collection of these data is
sponsored by the Department of Labor’s Office of
Disability Employment Policy. Publication of CPS
disability data began in February
2009 with the issuance of labor
force data for January 2009. (Explanatory
materials are available at <<http://www.bls.gov/cps/cpsdisability_faq.htm>>.)
These materials provide
information on comparisons with other data
sources, variability of the data, and the types of
data available. Additionally, links to historical
data and alternate formats are located below.
In January 2009, the
unemployment rate of persons with a disability was
13.2 percent, compared with 8.3
percent for persons with no disability, not
seasonally adjusted. The employment-population
ratio for persons with a disability was 20.0
percent, compared with 65.0 percent for persons
with no disability.
Department of Transportation
(DOT) - National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) - NHTSA Study: More Than
1,700 Fatalities, 840,000 Injuries Yearly Due to
Vehicle Incidents Off Public Highways In its most
comprehensive report yet, the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration has completed an
assessment of injuries and fatalities involving
motor vehicles not in traffic. The new study
concluded that more than 1,700 fatalities and over
840,000 injuries annually can be attributed to
vehicle incidents off public highways. The new
study also ranks injuries and fatalities by
incident type. NHTSA will continue to track these
data and report them bi-annually.
Social Security Administration (SSA)
- Social Security to be First Government Agency to
Use Nationwide Health Information Network The
Social Security Administration announced that it
will be the first government agency to utilize the
Nationwide Health Information Network (NHIN).
Beginning in early 2009, Social Security will
receive medical records for some disability
applicants electronically through the NHIN
gateway.
Through the NHIN, Social
Security will have instantaneous access to medical
records. This will significantly shorten the time
it takes to make a disability decision and make
the process more efficient. Social Security uses
individual medical records when making a decision
for more than 2.6 million people who apply for
disability each year. To make those decisions,
Social Security relies on doctors, hospitals, and
others in the healthcare field to provide medical
records in a timely fashion. The NHIN will help
ensure records are received timely by making it
easier and less labor- intensive for medical
professionals to submit records.
Social Security is working with
MedVirginia, the North Carolina Healthcare
Information and Communications Alliance, and
Kaiser Permanente to implement the NHIN. In early
2009, the first real-world use of the system will
begin between Social Security and MedVirginia.
The NHIN is an initiative of the
Department of Health and Human Services and is
supported by multiple government agencies and
private sector entities. For more information,
please CLICK
HERE
If you have any questions about
the above information, please contact Heather
Crown at 301-656-3150 or hacrown@tbitac.nashia.org.
The Federal Agency Watch is compiled by Heather
Crown for the TBI Technical Assistance Center at
NASHIA. Federal Agency Watch is supported by
Contract No. 240-03-0014 from the Department of
Health and Human Services (HHS), Health Resources
and Services Administration, Maternal and Child
Health Bureau. The contents are the sole
responsibility of the authors and do not
necessarily represent the official views of HHS.
This information is in the public domain and may
be duplicated and distributed widely.
TBISERV is the listserv for the Federal TBI
Program.
TBISERV is moderated by the Federal TBI Program’s
Technical Assistance Center.
Brain Injury Association of America Legislative
Alert - February 13, 2009
Economic Stimulus Update
Congress is gearing up to clear their spending and
tax cut measure aimed at stimulating job creation
and the health of the economy as early as Friday.
The goal is to have the legislation on President
Obama's desk by Presidents Day.
Appropriations Update
This week, efforts to take up the FY09
appropriations omnibus bill were stalled further
due to the consideration and conference of the
Economic Stimulus Legislation. The house will
likely wait until after the Presidents Day Recess
to tackle appropriations.
BIAA will continue to watch the developments of
the omnibus closely as we near the March 6th
deadline.
TBI and the Military
On Thursday, Congressmen Pascrell and Platts
hosted a briefing featuring Col. Michael Jaffee of
the Department of Defense, DOD Defense Center of
Excellence (DCoE), Defense and Veterans Brain
Injury Center.
The briefing highlighted several growth factors
and accomplishments that had taken place over the
course of 2008. Notably, the symposia and
collaboration between DOD and the National
Football League TBI and concussion experts as well
as the International Conference on Behavioral
Health and Traumatic Brain Injury that was held on
October 12, 2008 in conjunction with the
Congressional Brain Injury Task Force. With more
than 100 international experts, the areas of focus
included research, education, assessment, family,
and treatment.
Looking forward, Col. Jaffe announced several new
partnerships fostered to help those with TBI
including with the American College of Radiology,
National Academy of Neuropsychology, The Kennedy
Center, the Professional Golf Association, and the
National Football League. These partnerships will
continue to foster activities that will help
educate both servicemen and civilians about the
symptoms and dangers of traumatic brain injury.
*Due to the Congressional recess next week,
Policy Corner will resume distribution on Friday,
February 27, 2009.
*Distributed by Sarah D’Orsie, BIAA Director of
Government Affairs, on behalf of the Brain Injury
Association of America; 703-761-0750 ext. 637; sdorsie@biausa.orgBIAA’s Policy Corner and Legislative
Action Alerts are made possible by the Centre for
Neuro Skills, James F. Humphreys & Associates,
and Lakeview Healthcare Systems, Inc. The Brain
Injury Association of America gratefully
acknowledges their support for legislative action.
To sign up to receive future BIAA Policy Corner
E-Newsletters and Legislative Action Alerts,
please go to http://capwiz.com/bia/mlm/signup/
Brain Injury Association of America Legislative
Alert - February 6, 2009
Former Senator Tom Daschle Withdraws His
Nomination
This week former U.S. Senator Tom Daschle withdrew
from consideration to become the next Secretary of
the Department of Health and Human Services. Some
consider Daschle's withdrawal to be a blow to
efforts to enact timely reform of the nation's
healthcare system, as he was viewed as someone
uniquely qualified to take this project on, due to
his knowledge of health policy and many close
relationships in the Senate.
In addition to nominating him to become Secretary
of Health and Human Services, President Obama had
also planned for Daschle to serve as head of a
newly created White House Office of Health Reform.
Daschle's abrupt withdrawal came after he was
questioned about his failure to pay all the taxes
that he owed after leaving the Senate in 2005.
BIAA anticipates that there will be a new nominee
announced within the next few weeks and we will
continue to monitor the situation closely.
Appropriations Update
Although it was reported last week that the House
would take up the Fiscal Year 2009 (FY09)
appropriations omnibus bill on Wednesday, February
4, Democratic leaders changed their mind out of
concern that consideration of the bill may
interfere with passing the economic stimulus
package (H.R. 1).
On Tuesday, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer
reported that the House will likely keep the FY09
appropriations omnibus bill on hold until after
the President's Day recess.
Because the stopgap funding of the Continuing
Resolution passed last fall (that extends funding
in FY09 with FY08 levels) is set to expire on
March 6, 2009, Congress must move quickly to pass
FY09 appropriations soon.
BIAA will continue to monitor developments closely
as we near the March 6th deadline.
Economic Stimulus Legislation Update
Senate moderates worked late into Thursday night
looking for a compromise that would scale back the
economic stimulus bill (H.R. 1) towards the $800
billion mark. A few Democratic moderates were
convinced last night that they were inching closer
to a deal that would win support from a small
group of Republicans and perhaps give the package
enough votes to pass.
House and Senate leaders would like to begin
conference negotiations on the package early next
week with the goal of getting a final product to
President Obama by the end of next week.
BIAA has signed on to several coalition letters
related to this stimulus legislation, including a
letter supporting the inclusion of public health
provisions in the bill. The goal of this coalition
letter, spearheaded by the Trust for America's
Health, is to show a broad base of support for the
inclusion of wellness and public prevention
provisions in the final bill.
BIAA Urges Reduction of Lifetime Insurance Caps
Also this week, BIAA supported the Lifetime Caps
Coalition by cosigning a letter to encourage the
reintroduction of the Health Insurance Coverage
Protection Act, legislation that would increase
the minimum lifetime health insurance spending cap
of those with chronic illnesses.
The coalition has reported that next Tuesday,
February 10, 2009, is the tentative date for
reintroduction. BIAA will continue to monitor this
legislation and offer support where needed.
SCHIP Update
On Wednesday, President Obama signed a major
expansion of health insurance for children after
the House cleared the bill (H.R. 2) earlier in the
day.
The SCHIP bill, which BIAA supports, will provide
$32.8 billion extra over the next four and a half
years for the program, an amount estimated to
allow coverage of an additional 4.1 million
children. (Congressional Quarterly)
*Distributed by Sarah D’Orsie, BIAA Director of
Government Affairs, on behalf of the Brain Injury
Association of America; 703-761-0750 ext. 637; sdorsie@biausa.orgBIAA’s Policy Corner and Legislative
Action Alerts are made possible by the Centre for
Neuro Skills, James F. Humphreys & Associates,
and Lakeview Healthcare Systems, Inc. The Brain
Injury Association of America gratefully
acknowledges their support for legislative action.
To sign up to receive future BIAA Policy Corner
E-Newsletters and Legislative Action Alerts,
please go to http://capwiz.com/bia/mlm/signup/
Brain Injury Association of America Legislative
Alert - January 30, 2009
ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE APPROVED BY HOUSE
This week the House passed their $819 billion
economic stimulus bill, setting the stage for
Senate action next week. House Speaker Nancy
Pelosi portrayed her chamber's vote as swift and
bold action that "honors the promises our new
president made from the steps of the Capitol"
during his Jan. 20 inauguration. (Congressional
Quarterly)
As reported last week, the legislation would
provide an additional $87 billion of critical
Medicaid funding to states, increasing through the
end of FY 2010 the share of Medicaid costs the
Federal government reimburses all states by 4.8
percent. This funding is intended to prevent cuts
to health benefits in state Medicaid programs at a
time when state revenues are declining. BIAA
continues to strongly support this increase in
federal support for Medicaid, to prevent states
from having to cut back on vital Medicaid services
that many individuals with brain injury depend on.
The bill would also extend the moratorium, (which
BIAA has been strongly supportive of), on harmful
Medicaid and Medicare regulations through October
1, 2009. The legislation also adds a moratorium on
the Medicaid Outpatient Rule.
APPROPRIATIONS UPDATE
Earlier this week, Minority leader Steny Hoyer
announced that the House will take up the Fiscal
Year 2009 omnibus appropriations bill next week.
We will continue to monitor the situation closely
and keep everyone informed as to the content of
the bill next week.
As many of you remember, BIAA sent out a
Legislative Action Alert in late December, when
the House and Senate were conferencing critical
sections of this omnibus bill, urging everyone to
call their Representatives in Congress to increase
TBI funding. Thank you to everyone who took action
on this important issue!
GAO REPORT EXAMINES TBI CLAIMS PROGRAM FOR
INJURED SERVICEMEMBERS
This week, GAO issued an investigative report
regarding the traumatic injury insurance benefit
program (TSGLI). The program was created in 2005,
to be administered by Veterans Affairs in
collaboration with the Department of Defense, to
help ease financial burdens on members of the
armed services that sustain a brain injury or
other serious injuries.
During their investigation, GAO sought out the
advice of BIAA in terms of the difficulty in
identifying mild brain injury and the variance in
the length of time that symptoms present post
injury. BIAA also counseled GAO on the difficulty
in getting objective data about the severity of
brain injuries from a functional standpoint.
In conclusion of their investigation, GAO
recommended that both DOD and VA implement a
quality assurance review process to help ensure
that decisions are accurate and consistent within
and across the services and take steps to ensure
the data required to assess the approval rate for
traumatic brain injury and timeliness of the
claims process are reliable and comprehensive.
BIAA PARTICIPATES IN HEALTH REFORM COALITION
MEETING
On Monday, January 26, 2009, BIAA once again
participated in a coalition of groups spearheaded
by the American Academy of Neurology to discuss
possibilities and ideas for shaping healthcare
reform in the 111th Congress. The group decided on
the common message of improving access to care
going forward into this debate.
BIAA will continue to work with the members of the
coalition to forward our legislative agenda
through collaboration in the new Congress.
BIAA APPLAUDS SENATE REAUTHORIZATION OF SCHIP
On Thursday, January 29, 2009, the Senate passed a
$32.8 billion bill to reauthorize and expand the
State Children's Health Insurance Program, sending
the bill to the House, which plans to quickly
clear it for President Obama, according to
Congressional Quarterly.
Earlier this week, BIAA signed on to a coalition
letter urging the Senate to successfully complete
this reauthorization and expansion of this
program, which will help provide health insurance
low-income children in working families whose
parents earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but
too little to purchase private health insurance.
*Distributed by Sarah D’Orsie, BIAA Director of
Government Affairs, on behalf of the Brain Injury
Association of America; 703-761-0750 ext. 637; sdorsie@biausa.orgBIAA’s Policy Corner and Legislative
Action Alerts are made possible by the Centre for
Neuro Skills, James F. Humphreys & Associates,
and Lakeview Healthcare Systems, Inc. The Brain
Injury Association of America gratefully
acknowledges their support for legislative action.
To sign up to receive future BIAA Policy Corner
E-Newsletters and Legislative Action Alerts,
please go to http://capwiz.com/bia/mlm/signup/
Brain Injury Association of America Legislative
Alert - January 23, 2009
ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE APPROVED BY HOUSE
COMMITTEES
As many of you know, this week has been both
historical and chaotic in the city of Washington.
With the federal holiday on Monday and the
monumental inaugural celebration on Tuesday,
Congress had just three days to continue their
work on pressing items.
As reported by Congressional Quarterly, two House
Committees, Ways and Means and Energy and
Commerce, approved economic stimulus legislation
on Thursday which included extra funding to
support state Medicaid programs, as well as $20
billion dollars to speed up the development of
electronic medical records.
In terms of Medicaid funding, the legislation
would provide $87 billion of critical Medicaid aid
to states, increasing through the end of FY 2010
the share of Medicaid costs the Federal government
reimburses all states by 4.8 percent. This funding
is intended to prevent cuts to health benefits in
state Medicaid programs at a time when state
revenues are declining. BIAA continues to strongly
support this increase in federal support for
Medicaid, to prevent states from having to cut
back on vital Medicaid services that many
individuals with brain injury depend on.
Very importantly, the bill would also extend the
moratorium, (which BIAA has been strongly
supportive of), on harmful Medicaid and Medicare
regulations through October 1, 2009. The
legislation also adds a moratorium on the Medicaid
Outpatient Rule.
Earlier today, BIAA signed on to a Coalition for
Citizens with Disabilities letter to House Speaker
Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), expressing strong support for
the legislation, and commending the House on
including these important Medicaid provisions.
Additional funding contained in the stimulus bill
to speed development of electronic medical records
would be vital for the government to create
standards for the technology, implement electronic
medical records systems for public insurance
programs like Medicare and Medicaid, and pay
private hospitals and physicians to do the same.
Electronic records are thought to result in both
increased efficiency, reducing health care costs,
and reduced medical errors.
APPROPRIATIONS UPDATE
FY09 Appropriations continues to stall due to the
Economic Stimulus Package that has been the focus
of both the House and the Senate this week.
However, because the stopgap funding of the
Continuing Resolution, (that extends funding in
FY2009 with FY2008 levels) is set to expire on
March 6, 2009, Congress must move quickly to pass
FY09 Appropriations soon after the stimulus
package has cleared.
BIAA RESPONDS TO NEW NIDRR LONG-RANGE PLAN
Last week the National Institute on Disability and
Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) released a Notice
of its Proposed Long-Range Plan for Fiscal Years
2010 through 2014.
BIAA agrees with analysis conducted by Bobby
Silverstein, a principal at Powers Pyles Sutter
& Verville PC, that the proposed long-range
plan is flawed in that it materially departs from
previous plans by focusing on one category of
research (employment) rather than on all three
congressionally directed areas of research (health
and function, employment and community
participation).
BIAA is committed to working to restore the
longstanding balance in the type of disability and
rehabilitation research that NIDRR supports, and
has accepted a position on the NIDDR working group
within the Disability and Rehabilitation Research
Coalition or DRRC.
*Distributed by Sarah D’Orsie, BIAA Director of
Government Affairs, on behalf of the Brain Injury
Association of America; 703-761-0750 ext. 637; sdorsie@biausa.orgBIAA’s Policy Corner and Legislative
Action Alerts are made possible by the Centre for
Neuro Skills, James F. Humphreys & Associates,
and Lakeview Healthcare Systems, Inc. The Brain
Injury Association of America gratefully
acknowledges their support for legislative action.
To sign up to receive future BIAA Policy Corner
E-Newsletters and Legislative Action Alerts,
please go to http://capwiz.com/bia/mlm/signup/
Brain Injury Association of America Legislative
Alert - January 16, 2009
BIAA WELCOMES NEW DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT
AFFAIRS
This week, BIAA is thrilled to welcome Sarah D’Orsie
as its new Director of Government Affairs.
Before joining BIAA, Sarah counseled a downtown
client base on legislative tracking and procedure
as part of Congressional Quarterly’s Account
Management team.
As part of the draft proposal, a substantial
amount of the money, $95.6 billion, would go to
help state governments strengthen their Medicaid
programs. Under the House plan, the federal
government would be responsible for more of the
program’s costs in every state.
This week, House Democrats unveiled an $825
billion dollar spending and tax-cut package in an
effort to turn around the current economic
freefall. The draft proposal will include stimulus
spending on everything from infrastructure and
healthcare to education.
HOUSE ECONOMIC STIMULUS BILL INTRODUCED, INCLUDING
INCREASED MEDICAID FUNDING
In prior years, she served as professional
staff and deputy parliamentarian for Congressman
and Chairman Tom Davis of Virginia as part of the
Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
Sarah looks forward to using her legislative and
policy skills to further the mission of BIAA in
this exciting time for healthcare policy!
In December, BIAA supported a Consortium for
Citizens with Disabilities letter urging such an
inclusion of a significant increase in the
Medicaid Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP)
in anticipated economic stimulus legislation.
Although the House economic stimulus package
introduced this week was not popular among
Republicans and some Democrats due to the wide
range of proposed tax cuts, according to CQ, “Democratic
leaders remain hopeful they can get the package
through Congress by the middle of February.”
The Senate will soon move its own bill (S. 1), and
Democrats in both chambers said they have been
working together and with the Obama transition
team to ensure quick negotiations over final
legislation.
APPROPRIATIONS UPDATE
Although it was anticipated that a Fiscal Year
2009 appropriations package would be considered by
the 111th Congress as soon as it convened earlier
this month, the focus on the economic stimulus
bill has instead dominated the agenda. BIAA is
continuing to monitor this situation.
NIDRR RELEASES LONG-RANGE PLAN
Also this week, The Department of Education’s
National Institute on Disability and
Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) released its
proposed Long-Range Plan (Plan) for Fiscal Years
(FYs) 2010–2014.
BIAA is in the process of reviewing this document
to evaluate the implications for traumatic brain
injury research.
COALITION MEETINGS INCREASE IN ANTICIPATION OF
HEALTHCARE REFORM
As advocacy groups anticipate major activity
on healthcare reform this year, multiple
disability and healthcare coalitions in Washington
are hitting the ground running and convening
strategy meetings in January. BIAA is a member of
many of these coalitions, and recently attended
several meetings.
On Friday, January 9, BIAA was represented at the
Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities Annual
Meeting. The meeting featured speakers from the
Obama Presidential Transition Team, as well as the
Senate Finance Committee.
On Wednesday, January 14, BIAA sat at the table of
the Washington Rehabilitation Coalition. A group
that included many front-runners in the industry
dedicated to preserving and increasing Medicare
coverage of rehabilitation services in post-acute
stages. The group discussed the anticipated 2010
budget as well as CBO bundling proposals and the
issue of Medicare outpatient therapy caps.
*Distributed by Sarah D’Orsie, BIAA Director of
Government Affairs, on behalf of the Brain Injury
Association of America; 703-761-0750 ext. 637; sdorsie@biausa.orgBIAA’s Policy Corner and Legislative
Action Alerts are made possible by the Centre for
Neuro Skills, James F. Humphreys & Associates,
and Lakeview Healthcare Systems, Inc. The Brain
Injury Association of America gratefully
acknowledges their support for legislative action.
To sign up to receive future BIAA Policy Corner
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