TBI is the “signature injury” of modern warfare.
Politicians, especially Presidential candidates, have jumped on the bandwagon. But what lies beneath their promises?
A Missed Opportunity: HR 2528’s TBI Funding Amendment
The funding crisis started with a narrow vote on May 26, 2005. The House rejected an amendment to HR 2528 by a single vote: 214 to 213.
This amendment proposed $30 million for wounded veterans. It includes funding for prosthetic research and health care benefits. The failure to pass this amendment set a troubling precedent.
Misplaced Priorities in Final Allocations
While the final version of the bill increased funding for “Grants for Construction of State Extended Care Facilities” from $25 million to $85 million, it fell short in other critical areas.
Notably, bureaucrats cut a proposed $10 million boost for the Veterans Readjustment Counseling Service.
Considering the role mental health services play in helping traumatic brain injury patients reintegrate into civilian life, this was a baffling omission.
Vocational Rehabilitation: Too Little, Too Late
For veterans with traumatic brain injury, vocational rehabilitation can be a lifeline. Yet, the final bill offered loans of up to just $948.54 for “service-connected disabled persons” enrolled in vocational rehabilitation.
One credit at The University of Phoenix costs $295. What meaningful education or training can $948.54 provide?
Where Did the Money Go?
The final allocations included billions for questionable priorities:
- “Chemical Agents and Munitions Destruction, Army”
$1,400,827,000 allocated for the destruction of the U.S. stockpile of lethal chemical agents and munitions.
- “Iraq Freedom Fund”
$4,658,686,000 allocated, with $3,048,686,000 earmarked for classified programs. The public is not allowed to know how this money was spent.
Over $3 billion in classified spending, while funding for traumatic brain injury treatment languished. This highlights a stark misalignment of priorities.
The Numbers Tell the Story
By October 2005, 119,247 out of 433,398 returning military personnel from Iraq and Afghanistan wanted medical treatment. Among them, 30.9% – approximately 36,847 individuals – reported “mental problems.” Specific numbers for traumatic brain injuries were not readily available. But the need might be greater than the resources.
Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment Units
In 2004, the Veterans Administration (VA) received funding to establish three Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment Units. VA conducted a study to determine their optimal locations. No additional units were created.
Where is the commitment to treating traumatic brain injuries?
Moving Forward
On November 30, 2005, President Bush signed the Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act of 2006. But resources allocated for treating traumatic brain injuries remained inadequate.
The next installment of this series will explore the lingering gaps in TBI funding. What remains of the promised support for our wounded veterans?