2024 Traumatic Brain Injury Program Reauthorization Act Introduced

The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee recently held a hearing for H.R. 7208, the bipartisan Traumatic Brain Injury Program Reauthorization Act. The bill was introduced by the two chairs of the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force, Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ) and Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE).

The TBI Act provides much-needed funding to improve rehabilitation and community support for people with brain injury; it is set to expire in 2024. The Brain Injury Association of America worked with its partners and key stakeholders to craft improvements to the TBI Act, including expanding program eligibility and recognizing brain injury as a chronic condition, similar to diabetes and heart disease.

“The reauthorization of the TBI Act in 2024 is a pivotal opportunity to strengthen our nation’s response to the significant prevalence and complex challenges associated with brain injury,” said Rick Willis, president and CEO of the Brain Injury Association of America. “As our community gathers for Brain Injury Awareness Day on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., we’re making the case that long-term support for people with brain injury should be improved through the reauthorization of the Traumatic Brain Injury Act. We urge Congress to consider these proposed improvements, informed by consensus within the brain injury community, to ensure that every individual affected by a brain injury receives the care and support they need to live functional and independent lives.”

You can learn more about how you can get involved with the TBI Act reauthorization by signing up for updates here: Brain Injury Awareness Day 2024.

Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09), the co-chairman Congressional Brain Injury Task Force, offered testimony to the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health as the panel held a hearing on his legislation, H.R. 7208, the bipartisan Traumatic Brain Injury Program Reauthorization Act.

“The TBI Act has been the major federal program to support the medical and societal needs of 5.3 million individuals living with lifelong disabilities due to TBI,” stated Rep. Pascrell in his testimony. “From vehicle accidents to youth sports to servicemembers wounded in combat, the causes of brain injuries are diverse and those suffering with the after affects need our attention and federal resources to combat this silent epidemic. I hope this committee will consider including [our] suggested policy changes…”

Specifically, Congressman Pascrell called on the Health Subcommittee to help:

• Reauthorize the Traumatic Brain Injury Act
• Increase the authorization level for the TBI State Partnership Program from $7.3 million to $19 million for fiscal years 2025 to 2029
• Federally designate brain injury as a chronic condition
• Prioritize clarifying service eligibility for the TBI Act to make distinctions between external force injuries and internal force injuries
• Continue to Authorize the CDC TBI Programs and National Concussion Surveillance System
• Include the Administration for Community Living Protection and Advocacy Program in any amended TBI Act

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About the Brain Injury Association of America: The Brain Injury Association of America is the country’s oldest and largest nationwide brain injury advocacy organization. BIAA’s mission is to advance awareness, research, treatment, and education and to improve the quality of life for all people affected by brain injury. BIAA is dedicated to increasing access to quality health care and raising awareness and understanding of brain injury.