Subcommittee Discusses Boozman Bill

Press Release

U.S. Representative John Boozman (R-AR) today praised the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations' hearing on Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Defense (DOD) procedures for evaluating and treating vision problems associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Boozman's plan to help veterans with visual disabilities was a key point in discussions. His plan H.R. 3558 "The Military Eye Trauma Treatment Act" creates a Center of Excellence within the Department of Defense specifically devoted to the prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, treatment and rehabilitation of military eye injuries.

"I am pleased that the committee recognizes the need to hold a hearing on vision related injuries," Boozman said. "This hearing is a step in the right direction to making sure our troops get the care they deserve."

Subcommittee Ranking Member Ginny Brown-Waite (R-Fla.), noted that advances in medical science and technology have saved lives that would have been lost in earlier wars, but many survivors are left with devastating disabilities.

"This war is different from those of the past," Browne-Waite said. "Injuries sustained that would have resulted in death in previous conflicts, now have a large survival rate. However, survival doesn't necessarily mean returning home whole. With the enemy's weapon of choice, the improvised explosive device (IED), many of our most severely injured veterans have traumatic brain injury, and are or have been treated at one of the Polytrauma Rehabilitation Centers."

As with many other health care aspects associated with IED injuries, VA and DOD must adapt to new challenges. Progress remains to be made on TBI-associated vision issues that require special services and unique expertise such as neuron-ophthalmology.

"After hearing testimony from soldiers with eye injuries, their health care providers and administrators, I am more convinced than ever we need to proceed as quickly as possible with the Eye Injury Center of Excellence," Boozman said. One DOD official who testified "assured us that we would have a lot less talk and a lot more action so that our wounded warriors get the best possible treatment for eye injuries."

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