Policy Corner: March 18, 2022

Senate Committee to Hold Hearing on Home-Based Services

The Senate Special Committee on Aging, chaired by Sen. Robert Casey, Jr. (D-Pa.), will hold a hearing March 23 on “An Economy That Cares: Importance of Home-Based Services” at 10 a.m. (ET). This will address the needs of both older adults and individuals with disabilities who need in-home supports. The hearing will be a hybrid meeting that will be livestreamed on the Committee’s website. Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) is Ranking Member of the committee.

BIAA Supports Dental Services for Individuals with Brain Injury

The Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) joined the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities’ (CCD) Health Task Force in expressing a longstanding problem for Americans with disabilities in accessing dental surgical services. In a letter written to Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, Administrator of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), national organizations urged CMS to take action as children and adults with disabilities and special needs face significant health disparities with respect to the provision of oral health.

CBITF Awareness Briefing Attracts Large Number of Participants

Over 1,000 people registered for the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force (CBITF) Brain Injury Awareness Briefing held virtually March 16 on “The Importance and Value of Advocacy: Engaging with Policy Makers.” The panel, consisting of Members of Congress, Congressional staff, and national organizations, addressed appropriations for brain injury programs, surveillance and research, as well as a range of other issues including fall-related traumatic brain injuries (TBI) among older adults, veterans, home and community-based services, ABLE Age Adjustment Act, and law enforcement training with regard to TBI and PTSD. Speakers addressing these legislative issues and the engagement of advocates included: CBITF co-chair Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.); Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), Co-chair of the Neuroscience Caucus; Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.); and Michael Gamel-McCormick, Disability Policy Director for Senate Special Committee on Aging, which is Chaired by Senator Robert Casey, Jr. (D-Pa.)

Matt Breiding, Ph.D., Team Lead of the TBI Team in the Division of Injury Prevention (DIP) at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Injury Center spoke about differing data systems and the purpose of the National Concussion Surveillance System, which received FY 2022 funding for the first-time in the appropriations bill that passed last week. The surveillance system was authorized by the TBI Program Reauthorization Act of 2018. Before the panel presentations, staff for CBITF co-chairs, Carrie Swope, Health Policy Advisor for Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-N.J.) and Mathew Duglin, Legislative Assistant for Rep. Bacon, provided an overview of the CBITF, the appropriations process and tips for advocates. The panel was moderated and facilitated by the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA), National Association of State Head Injury Administrators (NASHIA) and the U.S. Brain Injury Alliance. Susan H. Connors, President/CEO of BIAA, wrapped up the briefing with the announcement of BIAA’s new grassroots advocacy system to send messages to Representative and Senators.

BIAA gratefully acknowledges the Centre for Neuro Skills and Avanir Pharmaceuticals for their support for legislative action. Click here to read past issues of Policy Corner.