[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 30 (Thursday, March 9, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E331]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS DAY

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                        HON. ALLYSON Y. SCHWARTZ

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 9, 2006

  Ms. SCHWARTZ of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I am a member of the Brain 
Injury Task Force--a group dedicated to drawing attention to this 
tragic and life-altering impairment. I am also proud to represent 
Nazareth Hospital, a facility that has provided healthcare services to 
the Philadelphia region for over 60 years and a national leader in the 
acute and chronic care of stroke.
  Today, representatives of Nazareth Hospital are on Capitol Hill for 
Brain Injury Awareness Day. This important event helps to increase 
awareness for Traumatic Brain Injury, TBI, and the specific challenges 
facing individuals who have suffered brain injury and their families.
  As many know, brain injury comes in many forms. The two most 
prevalent brain injuries--stroke and trauma--affect more than 2.2 
million Americans, and these numbers are expected to grow. TBI has been 
called ``the signature injury of modem American warfare'' due to the 
unprecedented number of service men and women who have suffered from 
head trauma while deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. This reality, 
coupled with the growing number of seniors in the U.S., means that our 
healthcare system will have to provide for more and more brain injury 
patients in the coming years.
  There is currently no cure for individuals with brain injuries. So 
they must vigilantly manage their chronic symptoms, often relying on 
the care and assistance of their families, friends and facilities like 
Nazareth Hospital.
  Nazareth is ahead of the curve--providing high-quality education and 
case management system for brain injury patients based on years of 
experience of working with patients, primary care physicians, nurses, 
family members, and other care givers.
  Because of their experience, the Department of Defense is considering 
a partnership with Nazareth. The DOD recognizes that Nazareth has a 
proven education and brain injury management plan, and believes it 
might be a system worth applying to military hospitals and clinics. As 
a strong supporter of public-private sector cooperation, I will be 
working to advance this shared effort.
  Together, I know we can reduce the emotional and financial effects of 
brain injury, and I am honored to represent an organization at the 
forefront of developing new treatments and discoveries. And, I am 
confident that Nazareth Hospital's first-rate care, which has benefited 
so many in my district, will be an asset for DOD as it expands 
continuing care services for the men and women who have sacrificed so 
much for our Nation.




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