Policy Corner: August 19, 2022
Categories: Policy Corner Archives
President Signs TBI & PTSD Training Bill
On Tuesday, President Biden signed H.R. 2992, the “Traumatic Brain Injury and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Law Enforcement Training Act” or the “TBI and PTSD Law Enforcement Training Act”, (Public Law 117-170). The bill requires the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) to consult with relevant agencies to establish crisis intervention training tools for first responders to address individuals with traumatic brain injuries, acquired brain injuries, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The BJA must ensure that at least one police department designated as a Law Enforcement Mental Health Learning Site utilizes the tools and that such tools are part of the Police-Mental Health Collaboration Toolkit.
“It is essential that we better prepare our first responders to identify symptoms of TBI and PTSD so they can properly assist individuals who are suffering from them,” said Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-N.J.), who leads both the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force and the Congressional Law Enforcement Caucus. Rep. Pascrell sponsored the TBI and PTSD Law Enforcement Training Act along with Reps. John Rutherford (R-Fla.), Don Bacon (R-Nebr.), and Val Demings (D-Fla.).
President Signs Bill that Lowers Prescription Costs
President Joe Biden signed the “Inflation Reduction Act” on Tuesday. The legislation includes provisions to lower healthcare costs for those enrolled in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace; caps price of insulin for Medicare recipients; and for Medicare to negotiate prescription drugs in order to lower costs. The bill places a $2,000 a year cap on prescription drugs for those enrolled in Medicare.
Congress Adjourns for August Recess
Both the Senate and the House of Representatives are in their home districts for the August recess. When lawmakers are in their home districts, most of whom will be campaigning for their re-election or on behalf of others, it is a good time to discuss brain injury while members are out and about. As a reminder, BIAA has policy materials on its website.