The return of Members of Congress to their home districts during recess this week provides a critical opportunity for constituents to weigh in regarding the urgent need to increase funding for federal TBI programs.  Over the next few weeks, both the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees will be working to craft the FY 2008 Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS), and Education Appropriations bill, which will provide the funding allocation for NIDRR’s TBI-related research programs, including TBI Model Systems of Care, as well as programs authorized through the TBI Act. 

Federal funding for these important TBI programs has deteriorated over the last several years, as Congress has not provided increases sufficient to keep up with inflation.   The urgent need for increased federal support for a national TBI public health infrastructure and TBI research is further heightened by the increasing recognition of TBI as the signature wound of the war in Iraq.  This need must be clearly communicated to Members of Congress IMMEDIATELY if TBI programs are to be adequately funded this year.  

ACTION:  Contact your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators IMMEDIATELY, and urge them to allocate line-item funding of $30 million to adequately support NIDRR’s TBI-related research programs, including the TBI Model Systems of Care, and increase funding to $30 million for TBI Act Programs in the FY 2008 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations bill.  In regards to the TBI Act, the allocation of $30 million should include $15 million for the HRSA State Grant Program, $6 million for the HRSA P & A Program, and $9 million for CDC activities and research related to TBI.

HOW TO CONTACT YOUR FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVES: To identify your federal representatives and their contact information, go to the BIAA Legislative Action Center: http://capwiz.com/bia/home/ and enter your zip code within the “elected officials” section.  Click on “email” to be taken to a page where you can send an email (based on the message below) directly to your federal representatives. 

If you would like to call or fax your representatives, click on “info”instead of "email" to obtain your representatives’ phone and fax numbers, or call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask to be connected to the Member’s office.  Once you are connected by phone to the Member’s office, ask to speak to a staff member who handles appropriations or health care issues.

Ideally, you could schedule a face-to-face visit with your Representative or Senator while he or she is in their home district this week.  To schedule an appointment for the Memorial Day Recess you can find the local district office phone number under the same “info” section mentioned above.

MESSAGE:   "I understand that over the next few weeks and months, Congress will work to finalize the FY 2008 Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS), and Education Appropriations bill.  As a constituent of yours, I strongly urge you to allocate line-item funding of $30 million to adequately support NIDRR’s TBI-related research programs, including the TBI Model Systems of Care, and increase funding to $30 million for TBI Act Programs.  In regards to the TBI Act, the allocation of $30 million should include $15 million for the HRSA State Grant Program, $6 million for the HRSA P & A Program, and $9 million for CDC activities and research related to TBI.  Federal funding for these important TBI programs has deteriorated over the last several years, as Congress has not provided increases sufficient to keep up with inflation.   The urgent need for increased federal support for a national TBI public health infrastructure and TBI research is further heightened by the increasing recognition of TBI as the signature wound of the war in Iraq.    It is past time for Congress to increase funding for TBI programs and research, and I urge you to ensure that TBI programs are treated as top priorities during this year's appropriations process."

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

For more information on NIDRR’s TBI-related research programs, including TBI Model Systems of Care, please visit: 
http://www.biausa.org/elements/pdfs/invisible_doe_qxp.pdf

Stay tuned for additional alerts in the near future, including an update on the status of bills to reauthorize the TBI Act…

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This Action Alert was prepared for BIAA members and associated TBI advocates by Laura Schiebelhut, BIAA Public Affairs Manager. 

Please feel free to circulate this alert widely to friends, neighbors, colleagues and any other interested parties – Congress needs to hear from the TBI community now more than ever!