Traumatic Brain Injury Reauthorization Act of 2014

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of five bipartisan public health bills that will help individuals with traumatic brain injuries, newborns, burn patients, and those with autism. The Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, under the leadership of Rep. Joe Pitts, has been a workhorse that boasts an outstanding record of bipartisan accomplishment on legislation that truly touches people's lives. With a number of bills already

signed into law, and these under consideration this evening, the 113th Congress is shaping up to be known as the public health Congress.

I would like to take this opportunity to highlight each of the five bills before us this evening.

H.R. 1098, the Traumatic Brain Injury Reauthorization Act, would address a problem that affects millions of Americans, including both veterans and children. Introduced by Mr. Pascrell, this bill would assist states in developing and expanding service delivery capacity for individuals with a traumatic brain injury. According to some estimates, the economic burden of such injuries is more than $70 billion, and the physical and emotional toll endured by patients and their families is even more burdensome. This bill would help alleviate the problems associated with this unique and complex health problem, providing peace of mind to families across the country.

H.R. 1281, the Newborn Screening Saves Lives Reauthorization Act, introduced by Reps. Roybal-Allard and Simpson, funds grants to allow states to expand their newborn screening programs, educate parents and health care providers, and improve follow-up care for infants diagnosed with a condition. Before the first passage of this bill in 2008, the number and quality of newborn screening tests varied from state to state. Today, with guidelines created by the bill, screenings reach 4 million babies in the United States every year. Reauthorization will continue this important program and encourage more timely efforts to identify diseases, such as Spinal Muscular Atrophy, and ensure best practices. Early screening and diagnosis often means better disease management and better outcomes for these children.

H.R. 3548, the Improving Trauma Care Act, introduced by Energy and Commerce Committee member Rep. Bill Johnson, is designed to correct the inconsistencies in the definitions of trauma that have resulted in gaps in care and coverage. This bill will help important trauma centers like Bronson Methodist Hospital's Burn Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan to better care for their patients.

We will also consider H.R. 4080, the Trauma Systems and Regionalization of Emergency Care Reauthorization. Introduced by Energy and Commerce Committee members Dr. Burgess and Rep. Green, the bill reauthorizes two programs related to the planning and development of regional emergency care. Both of these programs will improve trauma care so that Americans can promptly receive specialized, life-saving treatment after a traumatic injury.

Finally we will consider H.R. 4631, the Autism CARES Act of 2014, introduced and championed by Reps. Chris Smith and Mike Doyle. The sad reality is that in the United States, autism now affects 1 in 68 children and can cost a family approximately $60,000 annually. H.R. 4631 continues autism-related research, early identification and intervention, education, and the activities of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee. It also asks the Secretary of Health and Human Services to collaborate with other federal agencies to prepare and submit a report concerning young adults with autism spectrum disorder and the challenges related to their transition into adulthood. Finally, the research funded by this legislation also permits diagnosing and intervening earlier and thus help improve the quality of life for children with autism.

This bill is supported by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Autism Society, and the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities, which includes over thirty different organizations including Autism Speaks, the Autism National Committee, and the Council for Learning Disabilities.

We began our day in a bipartisan manner advancing the 21st Century Cures initiative and I am pleased to conclude the day by continuing our efforts to advance legislation to improve the public health. It is through these bills and this initiative that we can truly have an impact on the lives of all Americans.

I urge my colleagues to support these bills.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the passage of this legislation, the Traumatic Brain Injury Reauthorization Act of 2014.

I want to thank Chairman Upton and Ranking Member Waxman; Chairman Pitts; my friend from New Jersey, Ranking Member Pallone; and Mr. Gene Green of Texas for their thoughtful consideration and support for millions of traumatic brain injury survivors and their families. Additionally, I want to thank my fellow cochair of the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force, Congressman Tom Rooney of Florida, for his leadership on this important issue as well.

Throughout my 13 years working on this issue, I have witnessed firsthand how these programs make a difference in people's lives.

You have heard the numbers, but let's go beyond the numbers. Traumatic brain injury has become the signature wound of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Twenty percent of our soldiers deployed are estimated to have experienced a brain injury. Many returning servicemembers suffering from TBI will receive care and rehabilitation services within the Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs.

But others suffering from TBIs that are initially undiagnosed or misdiagnosed will later look to the civilian community and local resources for information and service. That is why it is essential that we continue to foster civilian-military collaboration, like the Department of Defense Center of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury, to build a system that ensures returning troops receive what they need to put their lives back together again.

Unfortunately, TBI remains the silent epidemic in this country. That is why the legislation today is so critical.

The TBI Act is the only legislation that specifically allocates Federal funds for programs supporting individuals with brain injury.

Originally passed in 1996 and reauthorized in 2000 and 2008, the TBI Act represents a foundation for coordinated and balanced public policy on prevention, education, research, and community living for people living with TBI and their circles of support.

And it has produced results. For nearly 18 years, the Traumatic Brain Injury Act has successfully provided direction and legal authority for the vast traumatic brain injury community.

Grants within the TBI Act have helped States improve access to health and other services for persons with TBI. Prior to this law, they did not have the tools to even assess their own needs.

Thanks to the TBI Act and its directive to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we now have a record of incidents, including details and prevalence, plans for prevention, and, finally, access to treatment. We have also begun to educate the public and provide much- needed scientific data for our scientists, health care providers, and policymakers.

Additionally, under this act, the National Institutes of Health is conducting basic and applied research in TBI, making great strides in our knowledge of the brain and the impact of TBI. Mr. Speaker, this is in direct correlation to the President's BRAIN Initiative. We keep on meeting together to explore this new horizon, which I think is going to dramatically have very positive consequences.

The Traumatic Brain Injury Reauthorization Act of 2014 will elevate the TBI program within Health and Human Services by moving the program from Maternal and Child Health's Children's Program, in acknowledgement of the impact of TBI across the age span, including older adults and returning servicemembers and veterans. Our intention is for the program to be relocated to the Administration on Community Living to better coordinate with Federal agencies regarding the long-term services and support available to individuals with other disabilities.

Brain injury survivors from all walks of life, and their families, look to community and local resources for all types of information and assistance. Regardless of the source of the injury, this legislation will ensure the framework, the information and research resources, are available to help.

Mr. Speaker, only a strong commitment will allow us to continue the incredible advances we have made in the area of basic brain injury: prevention, detection, early treatment, physical and mental rehabilitation, long-term care, and patient advocacy issues.

I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this important bill.

Mr. Speaker, I want to express my support for five public health bills before the House today.

H.R. 1098, the Traumatic Brain Injury Reauthorization Act of 2014, extends surveillance and research activities for traumatic brain injuries (or TBI), as well as other programs for TBI services and supports overseen by the Department of Health and Human Services. I represent the nation's largest Veterans Affairs health facility--the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center. TBI is one of many complex health problems affecting the veteran community served by this facility. I am pleased that we were able to include a provision in the bill that calls on HHS and the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs to report on their progress in coordinating TBI efforts for current and former members of the military. I also want to commend the sponsors of the legislation, Congressman Pascrell and Congressman Rooney, for their work on this issue.

H.R. 1281, the Newborn Screening Saves Lives Reauthorization Act of 2014, extends newborn screening services and related activities for many conditions that are not otherwise apparent at birth and, if left untreated, can cause severe disability or even death. I want to thank the sponsors of this legislation, Congresswoman Roybal-Allard and Congressman Simpson, as well as the sponsors of the Senate companion bill, Senators Hagan and Hatch. The bill before the House today is the product of bipartisan and bicameral negotiations to assure House and Senate passage of this measure. I would also like to thank Senators Harkin and Alexander for their leadership on this measure in the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.

H.R. 4080, the Trauma Systems and Regionalization of Emergency Care Reauthorization Act, reauthorizes four grant programs that seek to improve access to trauma care services within states and in rural areas. Energy and Commerce Members, Congressmen Burgess and Green, are to be commended for their sponsorship of this legislation and leadership on trauma care issues.

We are also considering another bill today related to trauma care: H.R. 3548, the Improving Trauma Care Act. This legislation expands the current definition of trauma for the purposes of trauma care grants to include burns and other injuries resulting from electrical, chemical, or other exposures. Congressman Johnson should be commended for his work on this issue.

Finally, H.R. 4631, the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support Act of 2014, would extend autism spectrum disorder activities at the Department of Health and Human Services and ensure these efforts are better coordinated with activities across the federal government. The legislation before us reflects bipartisan and bicameral efforts to advance a bill that can pass both chambers well in advance of the September 30 sunset provisions that are in current law. I want to thank Congressmen Smith and Doyle, as well as Senators Menendez and

Enzi, who sponsored the Senate companion bill. And again, I would like to thank Senators Harkin and Alexander for their work on this issue in the HELP Committee.

All of these bills were worked out with Mr. Pallone, Mr. Pitts, and Mr. Upton. I appreciate their cooperation and contributions, and I am pleased to support all five of these bipartisan measures and urge my colleagues to do the same.

Finally, I want to acknowledge the hard work of staff on both sides of the aisle, and to commend them for their work on these bills, I particularly want to recognize Anne Morris Reid, our lead public health staffer, who has moved on to a job in the Senate, but leaves the House with an impressive record of accomplishment.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1098, the Traumatic Brain Injury Reauthorization Act of 2014.

Traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is an unexpected blow or a jolt to the head. These injuries affect people of all ages. A soldier in a blast injury, an elderly person who has fallen, or a young driver involved in a car crash can experience TBI.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate more than 2 million Americans experience a traumatic brain injury each year.

The vast majority of these individuals have an injury that can be treated at a hospital emergency room, but not

all Americans are as fortunate. Their injuries can have more devastating consequences and may result in death or lasting disability.

The TBI program at the Department of Health and Human Services was first established in 1996 and has been reauthorized twice, in 2001 and, again, in 2008.

The legislation before the House today, once again, reauthorizes the TBI program. It would extend TBI surveillance and research activities. It will also extend programs for TBI services and support administered across Health and Human Services.

I want to commend the sponsors of the legislation, Congressman Pascrell and Congressman Rooney, and I also want to acknowledge the leadership of Chairman Upton, Chairman Pitts, Ranking Member Waxman, and Ranking Member Pallone and the work of our committee staff in advancing this bill through the Energy and Commerce Committee and bringing it to the floor today.

I support this bipartisan bill and urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New Jersey, Congressman Pascrell, my good friend and colleague.

I urge support for this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1098) to amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize certain programs relating to traumatic brain injury and to trauma research, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous materials into the Record on the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1098, the Traumatic Brain Injury Reauthorization Act, introduced by Representative Bill Pascrell of New Jersey, which will continue to provide the needed services that help patients with a traumatic brain injury, TBI.

More than 3.17 million Americans live with a disability that resulted from a TBI, including children and adults, athletes and soldiers.

The prevention and surveillance work done at the Centers for Disease Control keeps the public and providers aware of TBI research that leads to early diagnosis and treatment.

Research at the National Institutes of Health improves the understanding of TBI and identifies treatments that will improve lives. Programs available at the Health Resources and Services Administration help families to better care for their members who suffer from a TBI.

I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, this is another piece of important legislation, and it enjoys bipartisan support. I urge the Members to support it.

I yield back the balance of my time.