Loychik Introduces Legislation Establish the Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment Accelerator Pilot Program

COLUMBUS—State Rep. Mike Loychik (R-Bazetta) today introduced legislation that will establish the Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment Accelerator Pilot Program in Ohio. 

According to the Ohio Department of Health, one in four Ohioans, or 1.9 million, have experienced at least one traumatic brain injury in their lifetime. Traumatic brain injuries range from mild concussions to life-threatening brain bleeds and blood clots. House Bill 434 will support traumatic brain injury research and treatments. 

“Ohioans will lose $6 billion in medical expenses and missed wages for traumatic brain injuries that occurred in 2017 alone,” said Loychik. “This is due to lengthy and pricey treatments that are currently required to help remedy these injuries, and long-term cognitive effects that hinder a person’s overall wellbeing.”

The legislation will appropriate $10 million from the GRF to fund the pilot program. The Brain Injury Research Foundation will be given the responsibility of allocating research grants. The entities leading the research will include:

·       The Ohio State University

·       The University of Toledo

·       The University of Cincinnati

·       InfinixBio

This legislation will also provide an investment into pharmaceutical treatments for traumatic brain injuries. 

“This research will lead to better care, shorter hospital stays, and reduced medical costs for Ohioans,” added Loychik. “This is an opportunity to find more effective solutions and options for care when someone experiences a traumatic brain injury.”

To establish the pilot program more quickly, House Bill 434 will have a companion bill in the Ohio Senate.