§1710D Traumatic Brain Injury: Comprehensive Program for Long-term Rehabilitation

Summary

The Secretary must create and run a long-term rehab program for veterans who need post-acute care after a traumatic brain injury. The program must offer care in homes, in the community, and in residential settings. It must use teams of different health professionals. The program must be available at each Department polytrauma rehabilitation center the Secretary designates. A veteran can get this care if they are otherwise eligible for hospital care under section 1710 and if they (1) served on active duty in a combat theater after the Persian Gulf War or in combat against a hostile force during hostilities after November 11, 1998 (the Secretary will decide and may consult the Secretary of Defense), (2) have a moderate to severe traumatic brain injury diagnosis, and (3) cannot do routine daily tasks without help or supervision, as the Secretary decides. Within one year after this became law, and every year after, the Secretary must report to the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees about how the program is run, how many veterans were served in the past year, and the program’s cost.