House Committee Begins Hearings on Bill to Establish the Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment Accelerator Pilot Program

COLUMBUS – The House Finance Committee began hearings on House Bill 434, legislation to establish the Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment Accelerator Pilot Program, announced bill sponsor, State Rep. Mike Loychik (R-Bazetta).

Traumatic brain injuries range from mild concussions to life-threatening brain bleeds and blood clots. In 2017, Ohioans lost $6 billion in medical expenses and missed wages from traumatic brain injury. Current treatment is lengthy and pricey, and symptoms are difficult to manage. 

“The Ohio Department of Health has found that one in four Ohioans have experienced at least one traumatic brain injury in their lifetime; nearly 2 million people,” said Loychik. “The establishment of the pilot program will ensure that Ohio will be on the national stage once again for our efforts to advance traumatic brain injury research.”

The legislation will appropriate $10 million from the General Revenue Fund to support the pilot program. The Brain Injury Research Foundation will be responsible for allocating the research grants. The entities leading the research are as follows:

·       The Ohio State University

·       The University of Toledo

·       The University of Cincinnati

·       InfinixBio

Additionally, the legislation will invest in pharmaceutical treatments for these injuries. For every dollar spent on the research of these drugs, Ohioans will see an economic benefit of four to nine dollars through shorter hospital stays, reduced medical costs, and increased productivity. 

House Bill 434 awaits further consideration by the House Finance Committee. To efficiently give Ohioans with traumatic brain injuries the support they need, a companion bill will soon be introduced in the Ohio Senate.