IRAQ: Sen. Patty Murray Speaks Out on Traumatic Brain Injury

The following is taken from U.S. Senator Patty Murray’s Weekly Report to the People of Washington, March 5, 2007:

Last Wednesday, I spoke on the floor of the Senate about the need to better screen and treat Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), which has emerged as a signature injury of the Iraq War. TBI is often an unseen wound and is being routinely misdiagnosed. In many cases, unless a service member involved in an IED incident is bleeding, he or she won't be documented as having been involved in an explosion.

In a special broadcast that aired last Tuesday, ABC news anchor Bob Woodruff detailed his experience with a Traumatic Brain Injury. The special chronicled Bob's struggle with his injury, his family's unrelenting hope for recovery, and their ongoing work toward triumph over this horrible situation. I fear that the care he received has not been duplicated for thousands of other troops, and I been pushing for the VA to take steps to better address TBI.

To listen to Sen. Murray’s testimony or learn more about the Ban Asbestos in America Act bill, click here