House Panel Passes Concussion Treatment Bill
September 16, 2010
The Concussion Treatment and Care Tools Act of 2009 sponsored by Rep. Bill Pascrell establishes federal concussion management guidelines to increase awareness amongst educators, coaches, parents and athletes about when student athletes can return to play after a concussion.
“When it comes to very serious head injuries such as concussions, a ‘tough it out’ mentality can have very serious and long term side effects,” said Pallone. “This bill will do a lot to increase awareness about the side effects of head injuries and when student athletes can go back onto the field.”
In addition to unanimously approving the ConTACT bill, members of the panel also approved 15 other bills.
Legislation to benefit and improve public health included bills to address the unique causes of heart disease in women, increase the nation’s supply of public health veterinarians, raise awareness about diabetes and reauthorized a program for bone marrow donors to increase the likelihood of matches finding one another.
“The bills approved today address a wide range of health issues by increasing federal funding for research and treatments and will benefit a broad spectrum of people,” added Pallone.
The full committee will approve the legislation before consideration on the House floor.