Posted: | July 18, 2023 10:32 AM |
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From: | Representative Tim Briggs and Rep. Mindy Fee, Rep. Ann Flood |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Acquired Brain Injury Insurance Coverage |
In the near future, as co-chairs of the House Brain injury caucus, we plan to introduce legislation to address challenges faced by Pennsylvanians with moderate-to-severe brain injury who are frequently discharged from hospitals without adequate follow-up care. Currently, 543.288 Pennsylvanians are living with an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI), and there are 138,600 new brain injuries each year, 18,788 of which are severe enough that they require hospitalization. Individuals who receive the appropriate type of rehabilitation services in a timely manner are more likely to resume their life in the community without the need for long-term services and supports, oftentimes underwritten by last resort funding from Commonwealth. This legislation would require commercial health insurers to include post-acute neurorehabilitation as a covered benefit in their insurance policies. By requiring this coverage, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania would have substantially lower long term care obligations for its citizens with ABI. In short, the legislation will close the gap/obligation between the private and public sector for neurorehabilitation. This legislation is part of a comprehensive effort to ensure that every Pennsylvanian has an opportunity to remain healthy and productive citizens of our Commonwealth. We hope you will join us in co-sponsoring this important legislation. |
Introduced as HB1682