In White Plains, Gillibrand Announces Legislation to Address Epidemic of Traumatic Brain Injuries in Service Members and Veterans

In White Plains, Gillibrand Announces Legislation to Address Epidemic of Traumatic Brain Injuries in Service Members and Veterans

Sep 23, 2024

Following a disturbing report showing that service members are sustaining crippling traumatic brain injuries as a result of firing their own weapons, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand visited the Westchester County Michaelian Office Building in White Plains to announce legislation to address traumatic brain injuries among service members and veterans.

Service members who regularly fire heavy weapons are at increased risk of brain injury as a result of repeated exposure to explosions or blasts from their own weapons and explosives - otherwise known as blast overpressure. These brain injuries can cause depression, anxiety, cognitive problems, hallucinations, panic attacks, violent outbursts, suicidal tendencies, psychiatric disorders, dementia, and a variety of other serious health problems. At least a dozen Navy SEALs who have died by suicide over the past decade were later found to have suffered blast injuries, and many more service members have complained of health issues after blast exposure. Despite this, the Pentagon has struggled to properly investigate the impact of blast overpressure, effectively track the prevalence of blast overpressure-related injuries, or offer appropriate care to service members and veterans. Gillibrand is calling for more research and better treatment for those affected.

Gillibrand was joined by Westchester Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins, New York State Assemblyman Chris Burdick, City of White Plains Mayor Thomas Roach, Westchester County Board of Legislators Chairman Vedat Gashi, Director of the Westchester County Veterans Service Agency Ronald Tocci, City of Mount Vernon Director of Veteran's Services Andrea Molina, and local veterans.

"After repeatedly being exposed to blasts from their own weapons during both training and combat, our service members are sustaining severe and crippling brain trauma," said Senator Gillibrand. "This bill will require the DoD to investigate the prevalence and causes of these brain injuries; to track each service member's exposure to blasts; and to help service members access care. This is a critical bill and I look forward to getting it passed in the NDAA."

"With research showing an increased risk of traumatic brain injuries for our service members who regularly fire off heavy weapons, it is imperative we work together at all levels of government to start addressing the health implications they are being exposed to from the blasts of their own weapons. We know that doing so can truly save lives as blast overpressure has already been linked to the development of suicidal inclinations and cognitive issues," said New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. "The Blast Overpressure Safety Act will provide tools to investigate the scope and root causes of TBIs while also tracking service members' exposure to blasts. The act will also promote access to care. I highly commend Senator Gillibrand for introducing this proactive piece of legislation, and I look forward to continuing to collaborate on initiatives to further protect our active service members and veterans who put their lives on the line to protect us."

New York State Senator Shelley B. Mayer said, "I am honored to join Senator Gillibrand in showing our steadfast support for our veterans, both abroad and when they return home. Traumatic brain injuries can be life altering and early assessment is critical to ensure that veterans have the resources and support they need to continue living life to the fullest. As a state and nation, we must do better to support our veterans."

"I am very pleased to see Senator Gillibrand's support for the Blast Overpressure Safety Act," said New York State Assemblymember Chris Burdick. "This is a great step in taking care of our active service members and veterans, who have already sacrificed so much for our country. As a society we are making progress in addressing traumatic brain injuries in sports, so it is not only appropriate but crucial that we also make progress concerning those who are putting their lives on the line for our democracy."

Westchester County Executive George Latimer said, "The brave men and women who serve our country deserve comprehensive care for the injuries they endure in the line of duty - that is the very least that we owe them. Traumatic brain injuries caused by blast overpressure are devastating and all too common, yet we've seen a lack of sufficient research and support for those affected. I applaud Senator Gillibrand's outstanding leadership on this legislation. It is a critical step toward ensuring those we send to the front lines receive the care and understanding they need to heal."

"Our service members have sacrificed so much for our country, and it is our responsibility to ensure they receive the highest level of care when they return home," said Westchester Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins. "The effects of blast overpressure are a silent threat, leading to traumatic brain injuries that can severely impact their quality of life. Senator Gillibrand's legislation is a vital move towards better understanding, tracking, and treating these injuries."

Specifically, the Blast Overpressure Safety Act would:

1. Mandate regular neurocognitive assessments over a service member's career, including a baseline neurocognitive assessment before training.
2. Create blast overpressure exposure and TBI logs for all service members.
3. Increase transparency regarding blast overpressure safety in the weapons acquisition process. DoD must consider the minimization of blast overpressure during the acquisition process, require contracting entities to provide blast overpressure safety data, and publish blast overpressure safety data for weapons systems and its plans to better protect service members from in-use weapons systems.
4. Improve data on concussive and subconcussive brain injuries service members sustain. This includes information on discharges related to and medical providers trained in these injuries, as well as efforts with allies and partners to better address these injuries.
5. Enhance efforts to mitigate exposure and help service members access care. This includes retaliation protections for those who seek care; modifying existing weapons system to reduce blast exposure; updating and making publicly available blast overpressure thresholds and creating a waiver system for exceeding these thresholds; training high-risk service members to help them recognize exposure symptoms and creating strategies to mitigate their risk; and expanding the types of technologies in the Warfighter Brain Health Initiative pilot blast monitoring program.
6. Support service member treatment by establishing a Special Operations Comprehensive Brain Health and Trauma program, making the National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE) a program of record and requiring DoD to provide child care services to those seeking treatment there, and mandating training for medical and training personnel on blast overpressure and exposure and TBI.

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