By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Congresswoman’s Staff Renews Call for Funding of Care for Complex Head Injuries
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Congresswoman’s Staff Renews Call for Funding of Care for Complex Head Injuries
Policy & Law

Congresswoman’s Staff Renews Call for Funding of Care for Complex Head Injuries

MichaelDouglas1
MichaelDouglas1
Share
4 Min Read
SHARE

Sometimes it only takes a troubling incident — which is then propelled front and center into the nation’s consciousness — to formulate advocacy. AZ congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords’s close call with death at the hands of a mentally ill individual is about as high profile a case as an advocate for change can seize to create awareness.

Sometimes it only takes a troubling incident — which is then propelled front and center into the nation’s consciousness — to formulate advocacy. AZ congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords’s close call with death at the hands of a mentally ill individual is about as high profile a case as an advocate for change can seize to create awareness.

It’s no surprise, then, that key members of her staff are raising the awareness level of care surrounding traumatic brain injury, or TBI. While this is not a new issue by any means — it has usually been relegated to also-ran status in the eyes of healthcare policy watchers and lawmakers alike, as a by-product of the cost of care to the problem’s biggest cohort, the military veteran — it is getting a new lease on life.

[A] “central component” of Giffords’ therapy regimen is cognitive rehabilitation therapy, a costly medical treatment designed to retrain the brain to do basic tasks. Such treatment … may be available to Giffords, but it is out of reach for thousands of U.S. troops whose health coverage doesn’t include it. The Pentagon’s health care program, Tricare, has refused to cover it but does cover certain types of therapy — such as speech and occupational therapy — which can be a part of cognitive rehabilitation therapy.

HHS Secretary Sebelius is the initial target of this newfound campaign brought by Giffords’s staffers, as they seek to expand such offerings under the military’s Tricare plan. It’ll be a steep hill to climb; such coverage can average $8000 – $10000 for acute hospital cares/day, and at least $1500 daily in LTC costs outside of that acute care. Adovcates, acknowledging this, will also press current Sec’y of Defense Gates to expand coverage for such services. Good thing Giffords’s office also clarifies that this advocacy is a “first step” as far as cost of delivery is concerned — noting that the range of coverage for comprehensive TBI acute care and rehab would not extend the range of “essential benefits” for servicemembers under Tricare. | LINK

More Read

Recovering from Slip and Fall Injuries: Physical and Emotional Considerations
Recovering from Slip and Fall Injuries: Physical and Emotional Considerations
When Is External Peer Review The Right Choice For Hospitals?
Attack of the Superbugs: Time to Stand Up Against the Antibiotics Feeding Frenzy
Should We Care If Doctors Drop Medicare?
Has China Done a Good Job Handling H7N9?

Related posts:

  1. Minnesota’s Largest Acute Care Safety Net Announces Cuts in Care Delivery So much of what happens to safety-net healthcare delivery really…
  2. Under Reform, New Laws to Increase Access to Mental Health Care Services about to Take Effect It is well known that in the pre-reform era of…
  3. Medicare to Reimburse Voluntary Physician Counseling of End-of-Life Care Remember the “death panels” the GOP and other right-wing pundits…

 

TAGGED:health care policytraumatic brain injury
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

dental care
Importance of Good Dental Care for Health and Confidence
Dental health Specialties
October 2, 2025
AI in Healthcare
AI in Healthcare: Technology is Transforming the Global Landscape
Global Healthcare Policy & Law Technology
October 1, 2025
Choosing the Right Swimwear for Health and Safety
News
September 30, 2025
sports concussions
Concussion In Sports: How Common They Are And What You Need To Know
Infographics
September 28, 2025

You Might also Like

obamacare health exchanges
BusinessHealth ReformPolicy & LawPublic Health

What’s the Deal with the Exchanges?

October 13, 2013

Doctors in India Strike To Demand Better Security at Hospitals

September 12, 2011

Report: Mass. Cannot Continue to Sustain Costs for Reform

October 27, 2011
ACOs expanding
BusinessFinanceHealth ReformPolicy & LawPublic Health

ACOs Rapidly Expanding Across States

May 2, 2014
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?