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Advocacy & Government Affairs

The Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) is the voice of brain injury on Capitol Hill. We tirelessly advocate for greater access to care for civilian and military populations, expanded brain injury research, adequate resources for state programs and increased congressional awareness of brain injury issues, among other priorities.

Our grassroots network is a driving force influencing law making on a national level. Please join our advocacy community to receive our weekly electronic newsletter, Policy Corner, and legislative action alerts.

BIAA Legislative Agenda

BIAA will soon release its 2012 legislative agenda. In the meantime, here are the 2011 issue briefs highlighting critical public policy issues for people with brain injury including access to care, research, TBI Act appropriations and reauthorization, military, and membership in the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force. BIAA is excited to move forward these priorities in the 112^th Congress!

2012 Advocacy Message

Happy New Year! As the second session of the 112th Congress begins, BIAA is poised to take on both the opportunities and difficulties this session presents.

Many policymakers are focused on this year’s presidential and congressional elections, in which republicans will try to regain The White House while democrats try to regain the House of Representatives and both political parties vie for the Senate. 

Amidst the politicking, BIAA will continue to advocate with the support of the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force, a bi-partisan caucus of more than 120 members of Congress, led by Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr., (NJ-D) and Rep. Todd Russell Platts (PA-R).

Our goals this year are to sustain and bolster brain injury programs, increase access to care and preserve vital brain injury research.

As in 2011, appropriations increases in 2012 are unlikely, but there are still many opportunities to advance our cause.

This year,  BIAA will continue to collaborate with the Health Resources and Services Administration, the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health , and the Food and Drug Administration, a new partnership that was developed in 2011.

BIAA will also continue to monitor and comment on the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs’ research and treatment for active duty military, their dependents and Veterans.

This year more than ever, BIAA will count on its grassroots advocates to show members of Congress how important brain injury is to their constituents. Thank you to everyone who participated in our action alerts last year. You’ve all truly made a difference and we hope to continue that excitement and dedication in 2012!

Latest Policy Corner News - Feb. 17, 2012
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Brain Injury Awareness Day 2012

This year, brain injury awareness day on Capitol Hill will be held on Wednesday, March 21, 2012. As in years past, there will be an awareness fair, briefing and reception. The full schedule for the day is as follows:

10:00 AM – 2:00 PM - Brain Injury Awareness Fair, First Floor Foyer of the Rayburn House Office Building

2:30 PM – 4:00 PM – “Anytime, Anyone, Any Age: the Impact on Brain Injury” Briefing; Capitol Visitor Center

5:30 PM – 7:30 PM - Reception Celebrating Brain Injury Awareness Month, Location to Be Announced
 
BIAA is committed to helping the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force plan a successful event. Stay tuned for more details including a list of speakers for the briefing.

TBI Act Reauthorization 2012

This week, BIAA’s director of government affairs, NASHIA’s lobbyist and staff representing the National Disability Rights Network met with Chairman Upton’s staff of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce to discuss TBI Act reauthorization in 2012. BIAA will continue to work closely with other stakeholders as the reauthorization of the TBI Act moves forward.

Letter to the President

The Coalition to Preserve Rehabilitation, one of the many coalitions BIAA supports, sent a letter to the President this week regarding Medicare policies involving access to Medicare rehabilitation services for people with disabilities and chronic conditions. In the letter, the coalition urges to President to refrain from using offsets that would reduce access to inpatient rehabilitation hospital care such as those proposed in the FY 2013 federal budget.