Press Releases

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03) and Congressman Don Bacon (R-NE-02) introduced the Improving Traumatic Brain Injury Diagnostics for Warfighters Act, bipartisan legislation aimed at accelerating the development and deployment of advanced diagnostic technologies to significantly improve how traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are identified and assessed among servicemembers during training and in combat environments.

“Too many servicemembers are returning home with traumatic brain injuries that go undiagnosed or untreated because our diagnostic tools have not kept pace with the realities of modern warfare,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “This bipartisan legislation will help ensure our troops have access to faster, more accurate point of injury diagnostics so they can get the right care at the right time, protect their long term health, and maintain mission readiness.”

“Our servicemembers face intense physical demands in both training and combat, and we owe them the best tools available to detect injuries early,” said Congressman Bacon. “Our bipartisan bill helps close critical gaps in TBI diagnostics at the point of injury, improving readiness and long-term outcomes. I’m pleased to join Congresswoman Trahan to advance better data and faster diagnosis, leading to better care for those who serve.”

Since 2000, more than 500,000 servicemembers have been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury as a result of explosions, falls, and other incidents. Despite the scope of the problem, a recent U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) report found persistent gaps in the identification and treatment of TBI, suggesting the true number of servicemembers affected may be far higher.

The Improving Traumatic Brain Injury Diagnostics for Warfighters Act would establish a pilot program within the Department of Defense to support the development and use of point of injury TBI diagnostic devices in operational settings. The program would:

• Evaluate and support the research, development, testing, and production of innovative TBI diagnostic devices, including helping transition promising technologies from prototyping to deployment.

• Assess whether covered diagnostic tools can accurately distinguish mild TBI from moderate or severe TBI and be effectively integrated with existing diagnostic methods.

• Examine how improved diagnostic technologies can enhance military readiness and reduce the long-term medical burden of TBI through more accurate and timely assessment of acute exposure.

A copy of the bipartisan legislation introduced today can be accessed HERE.

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