Advocacy at the State Level

The Brain Injury Association participates in advocacy efforts on behalf of the brain injury community by participating in the Brain Injury Coalition and serving in an advisory capacity on policy issues.

 

Brain Injury Coalition

The Pennsylvania Brain Injury Coalition is a collaborative effort among individuals with brain injury, family members, the Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania, the Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers Society.  The Coalition has established caucuses in both the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and the Pennsylvania Senate, and works to keep them informed of legislative and policy issues that affect individuals with brain injury and their families.

 

Caucuses

Senators Ryan Aument and Tim Kearney are the Senate Caucus Chair while Representatives Tina Pickett and Tim Briggs serve as the co-chairs of the House Caucus. The Pennsylvania Brain Injury Caucus is a group of members of the House and Senate that pursue legislative initiatives that will advance treatments and understanding of brain injury.

Please check in with your local Representatives to see if they are on the Caucus, and if they are not a member ask them to contact one of the Chairs to join.

You can find your state legislators by clicking the button below:

Current Legislative Priorities

  • HB 1838  - now 2020 Act 93 - which increases funding for the Pennsylvania Head Injury Program. (Signed by Governor Wolf on October 29, 2020)
  • House Bill 32 - funding for high-definition fiber tracking brain scans and supporting ongoing clinical research in the Commonwealth involving traumatic brain injuries
  • House Bill 1310 - Cognitive Rehab for Medicaid  (Awaiting vote)
  • Telehealth Bill  - Under development
  • Cognitive Rehabilitation Bill  - (Under development)

 

Current Policy Issues

Community Health Choices, issues of access and person centered services plans for individuals with brain injury
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation services for individuals with brain injury