Washington, D.C. - Congressman Rich McCormick, along with 25 fellow Members of Congress, sent a letter to Secretary Martínez-López urging increased funding and support for research on Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) treatment for military service members and veterans. The letter highlights the urgent need for rapid treatment options to minimize damage when TBI occurs and addresses the prevalence of mitochondria dysfunction in TBI patients.
The letter emphasizes recent studies showing the increased risks TBI patients face, including mental health issues, higher rates of suicide, and the development of neurodegenerative disorders. It also highlights the positive data from the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research and the James A. Haley Veterans Medical Center on the use of mitochondria organelle transplantation to address mitochondria dysfunction resulting from TBI.
Rep. McCormick and his colleagues commended the cooperation between the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in advancing research on effective TBI treatments. The funding for the research program has been approved through the Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium (MTEC) and the Omnibus IV DOD Medical Research Indefinite Delivery / Indefinite Quantity contract.
"We urge Secretary Martínez-López to ensure that this vital research program receives the necessary funding and support to develop effective treatments for TBI patients," said Congressman McCormick (GA-06). "Our military service members and veterans deserve the best care possible, and this collaborative effort between WRAIR, VA, and DOD is a crucial step in improving outcomes for TBI patients." “Researchers are at the precipice of treating traumatic brain injury in a revolutionary new way, and we need federal support to push that treatment over the finish line,” said Congressman Bill Keating (MA-09). “Innovative researchers in my own district in Plymouth are leading the way and the impact of their work could be life-changing for returning veterans and athletes who suffer from TBI. Critically, this new treatment could also have life-changing effects for those suffering from neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's. Too much is at stake for us not to further this research and support its potential benefits. I am glad to have so many Members join this letter with Rep. McCormick and I, and urge for approval of this increased programmatic funding. “Our nation’s service members and veterans have made great sacrifices for us on the battlefield, and they deserve access to the highest level of care. The least we can do is ensure adequate support for those suffering with medical conditions resulting from combat such as traumatic brain injury (TBI). I’m proud to join my colleagues in calling on the Pentagon to support the development of a potential treatment so one day no U.S. service member or veteran has to suffer from a prolonged brain injury caused by TBI,” said Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01). “We must spare no effort in our fight to improve the quality of life for wounded servicemembers and veterans,” said Congressman Don Davis (NC-01). “The researchers at Walter Reed Military Medical Center are doing God’s work as they look for new treatments and therapies, and with bipartisan support, their efforts to help our men and women in uniform will continue long into the future.” “We owe our servicemembers and veterans the highest quality of care in return for their sacrifice and selfless service to our country,” said Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16). “We understand brain injuries to be a silent and deadly threat to our military personnel, and far more must be done to protect and treat them. With positive early data on a potential treatment for traumatic brain injuries, I’m proud to join this bipartisan coalition of members to urge the Department of Defense to support this research program.” “Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI), when left untreated, can lead to severe consequences, including neurodegenerative disorders like ALS, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's. As a veteran myself, I want to ensure that our nation’s service members and veterans receive the best treatments available. Clinical researchers at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) and the VA have discovered treatment options that may prevent or improve TBI outcomes. I'm proud to join Rep. McCormick in urging the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs to support funding for these critical treatments," said Congressman Cory Mills (FL-07). You can read my letter here. |
