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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.

2012 BIAA Legislative Agenda/Issue Briefs

BIAA encourages all advocates to use these issue briefs when working with national, state and local government officials on critical public policy issues for people with brain injury, including: military, access to care, research, TBI Act appropriations and reauthorization, 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 - May 11, 2012
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TBI Act Reauthorization 2012

The Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Act, H.R. 4238 was introduced by Representative Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ)
and Representative Todd Russell Platts (R-PA) on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 in the House of Representatives.

 
Please call your Representative today to ask him or her to co-sponsor H.R. 4238. Specifically, BIAA would like
constituents of the following members to call or email their Representative to ask them to cosponsor the bill.
The Representatives listed below are members of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health.

Rep. Shimkus (IL-19-R)
Rep. Myrick (NC-9-R)
Rep. Murphy (PA-18-R)
Rep. McMorris Rogers (WA-5-R)
Rep. Capps (CA-23-D)
Rep. Ross (AR-4-D)
Rep. Bono Mack (CA-45-R)
Rep. DeGette (CO-1-D)
Rep. Doyle (PA-14-D)
Rep. Eshoo (CA-14-D) 

BIAA will be changing vendors for legislative updates/alerts and will let Policy Corner subscribers know more
in the coming weeks. Thank you!