On Tuesday, Congressman Jerry McNerney introduced a new bill in the House that directly responds to one of the most troubling consequences of the war in Iraq -- "Traumatic Brain Injury" or TBI.
According to Hank Shaw's report in the Stockton Record:
The Caring for Veterans With Traumatic Brain Injury Act of 2007 calls for the panel to assess the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' capacity to treat brain-injured veterans and make recommendations on new policies for care and rehabilitation.
The Pentagon estimated that up to one-third of all Iraq veterans have been exposed to improvised explosive devices, land mines or rocket-propelled grenades at some point during their deployment, resulting in injuries including mild concussions, unconsciousness and coma.
"(Traumatic brain injury) is pretty significant: Half of our injuries are TBI-related now," McNerney said. "I know they have good treatment, but there are a lot that have minor TBI. Basically, we wanted to get out ahead of this issue and give the (VA) secretary some guidance on this issue."
The bill (H.R. 2201) is cosponsored by Rep. John Boozman (R-AR). Both members of Congress serve on the House Veterans Affairs Committee. In a joint statement on Tuesday, McNerney and Boozman added:
“Our men and women in uniform have put their lives on the line,” said Rep. McNerney. “It is imperative that we ensure our veterans receive proper care and treatment for injuries they sustained in service to our country.”
“The proper care of injured veterans goes beyond party labels,” Rep. Boozman added. “Doing right by our veterans is the least we can do to honor the service and sacrifice of those who protect our country.”
In February, ABC News anchorman Bob Woodruff's special televised report on the traumatic brain injury he suffered from a roadside bomb explosion in 2006 raised national awareness about TBI. Woodruff also explored the plight of several soldiers with TBI and their often disappointing experiences with the VA.
You can watch Woodruff's full report here:
http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/WoodruffReports/
Meanwhile, stay tuned for more news on the progress of this important bill.
I am Mariela Mason's father. I meet with you in the VA in Livermore when you came to visit my daughter Mariela, 27, injured in Iraq. We have difficulties with some issues with the Administration of the VA and would like your advise. We also would like to thank you for your support and actions to keep the VA Livermore open. Closing this hospital is a non-sens.
Mariela's parents,
Emile + Lisette Meylan
Posted by: Emile Meylan | May 21, 2007 at 06:35 AM