Search results for keyword: veterans
Policy Corner: May 24, 2019
This Week in Brief: House passes bills to improve benefits for veterans, Senate HELP committee develops discussion draft on surprise medical bills, Senators introduce the RISE Act, and House and Senate adjourn.
Policy Corner: May 10, 2019
This Week in Brief: House appropriators increase TBI funding, House passes bill protecting preexisting conditions, Senators introduce bill on fitness facilities accessibility for people with disabilities, NCMRR is updating its research plan, and ACL publishes reorganization plan.
Sex, Gender, and Traumatic Brain Injury: Implications for Better Science and Practice
The impact of traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be far reaching and affects more than the health and wellbeing of those with brain injury and persons close to them. Great strides have been made in exploring the many facets of brain injury – medical, personal, and environmental factors that impact risk of injury, cause of injury, and its course of recovery. However, one topic in particular remains largely unexplored, despite its crucial role as a determinant of injury vulnerability, post-injury experience, and extent of recovery. The topic in question is that of the effect of sex and gender, which is now being highly recognized for its importance to good science and practice.
Policy Corner: January 25, 2019
This Week in Brief: Congress fails to pass legislation ending the partial government shutdown, Lawmakers introduce the Disability Integration Act, Rep. Calvert introduces Violence Against Women Act, Rep. Beatty re-introduces Concussion Awareness bill, and legislation calls for eliminating the sunset date of the VA Veterans Choice Program.
Traumatic Brain Injury Act
The TBI Act is the only federal law that authorizes and funds research, data collection, public education, and service system coordination for civilians who sustain brain injuries and their families.
Kelli Gary Talley
Kelli Gary Talley, Ph.D., MPH, OTR/L is an assistant professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Counseling (RC) at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond, VA. After sustaining a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) 34 years ago, she obtained a Bachelor of Science in occupational therapy (OT) from Chicago State University in Chicago, IL, a Master...
Policy Corner: December 7, 2018
President Signs Short-Term Spending Bill The House of Representatives and the Senate delayed work this week due to the death of former President George H.W. Bush. Congress did pass a short term continuing resolution in order to fund nine Cabinet departments and dozens of smaller agencies through Dec. 21, avoiding the Dec. 7 deadline when...
Policy Corner: November 16, 2018
Congress Returns to Town After Mid-term Elections This week, Congress returned to the Capitol after the mid-term elections that were held Nov. 6. One critical order of business is to fund seven of the twelve individual appropriations bills prior to Dec. 7 or face a shutdown with regard to agencies and programs that are affected....
Policy Corner: August 3, 2018
President Signs Bill to Delay EVV Requirements On Monday, the president signed H.R. 6042 into law (P.L. 115-222), which delays for one year the reduction of Federal medical assistance percentage for Medicaid personal visits furnished without an electronic visit verification (EVV) system. The 21st Century Cures Act, which passed in 2016, required EVV systems to...
Policy Corner: July 27, 2018
BIAA Pushes for Passage of the ABLE Adjustment Act to Benefit Persons with Brain InjuryAs the days wind down for this current legislative session, the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) is working with the Senate Finance Committee members to obtain cosponsor for S. 817, the ABLE Age Adjustment Act. The legislation, which has also been introduced in the House of Representatives, H.R. 1874, will benefit many individuals who are injured after the age of 26 by extending the age of onset of disability to age 46 for eligibility purposes. This would allow more individuals with brain injury to take advantage of this important savings tool.It has now become a financial imperative to pass the ABLE Age Adjustment Act. There are currently thirty-eight states that have implemented ABLE programs, yet data collected by the National Association of State Treasurers (NAST) shows that the number of ABLE accounts being opened is much lower than anticipated. The long-term sustainability, availability, and affordability of some ABLE programs for individuals with disabilities are in doubt without this expansion of eligibility. Advocates are urged to contact their Representative and Senators to support this legislation and ensure its passage prior to this session ending in December.Lawmakers Send Bill Reauthorizing Career Education to PresidentThe Senate and the House resolve differences in the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education (CTE) Act this week and sent the final bill to the president for his signature. The last time the bill was reauthorized was in 2006, when the program changed the focus from vocational training to career and technical education. The bill increases funding so that more students can participate; shifts the authority to local states and community colleges and high schools; and makes sure that employers are at the table to validate the skills that are taught. The CTE program offers the potential for students with disabilities to use high school toward preparation for the workforce by encouraging specific career pathways.
Policy Corner: July 20, 2018
Bill Sent to President to Delay Electronic Visit Verification Program for Personal Care Services The Senate passed H.R. 6042 Tuesday. This bill will delay by one year the requirement for states to implement the electronic visit verification (EVV) systems for Medicaid-funded personal care services as called for in the 21st Century Cures Act passed in...
Policy Corner: July 13, 2018
House Appropriations Committee Advances FY 2019 Labor-HHS-ED Funding Bill Yesterday, the House Appropriations Committee approved the fiscal year (FY) Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS), and Education spending bill to fund federal programs under those agencies’ jurisdictions beginning Oct. 1, 2018. In total, the draft bill includes $177.1 billion in discretionary funding, basically the same...