A Federal Funding Freeze Endangers Critical Brain Injury Programs
January 29, 2025
The Trump administration’s proposed federal funding freeze would endanger critical brain injury programs that many brain injury survivors depend upon. The Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) and the National Association of State Head Injury Administrators (NASHIA) are deeply concerned that this could have far-ranging impacts for people with brain injury.
On January 27, 2025, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) announced in a memorandum that the federal government would be temporarily halting the disbursement of federal grants, loans, and other financial assistance programs. This order was to go into effect at 5 p.m. on January 28, but a federal judge issued an administrative stay that halted the freeze. As of January 29, the administration rescinded the OMB memorandum, but we are told that the Administration may reissue a new memorandum. This new memorandum could halt some federal programs and provide clearer guidance on those that are in opposition to President Trump’s recent executive orders.
“A pause in federal funding would disrupt many brain injury programs throughout the country and would directly impact brain injury survivors and the healthcare professionals providing treatment and support,” said Rick Willis, President and CEO of BIAA. “Survivors of brain injury face so many obstacles in their day-to-day life and many require ongoing support and services. Suddenly stopping programs that many of them rely on is inexcusable, especially with no warning”
“We are pleased that the administration has rescinded the previous memorandum temporarily halting the disbursement of federal grants, loans, and other financial assistance programs,” said Rebeccah Wolfkiel, Executive Director of NASHIA. “This pause was creating significant uncertainty for the brain injury community and other partners.”
This is a fluid situation, and we will keep you updated as we learn more. You can use our legislative action tool to let your elected officials know that brain injury programs shouldn’t be put at risk.
We need your support today to ensure bipartisan brain injury programs that directly impact brain injury survivors and the states, affiliates, providers, and healthcare professionals that support them are protected.
Urge Congress to take a stand and make sure that essential brain injury programs aren’t impacted by any Administrative freezes.
Congress has the power—and the responsibility—to safeguard these essential programs and ensure that future funding decisions do not place vulnerable populations at risk.
We need your help. Use our legislative action tool to let your elected officials know that brain injury programs shouldn’t be put at risk. Click here to send a letter to your Members of Congress.