Pediatric Acquired Brain Injury Act of 2009 Introduced in Congress
On October 13, 2009, Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC) introduced the Pediatric Acquired Brain Injury (PABI) Act of 2009. The bill states that Pediatric Acquired Brain Injury is the leading cause of death and disability for children and young adults under the age of 25 in the United States. The PABI Act also endorses the National Pediatric Acquired Brain Injury Plan, which is designed to develop a seamless, standardized, evidence-based system of care universally accessible for children, young adults and their families throughout the United States who suffer from PABIs.
50 representatives signed the Bill as co-sponsors, several of which are representatives from New Jersey. These members include: Rush Holt, Bill Pascrell, Steve Rothman, Leonard Lance Frank LoBiondo, Donald Payne, and Chris Smith. This is a great step forward in national recognition of PABI and I am proud of the above-mentioned New Jersey representatives who took the initiative to assist in moving forward with this necessary bill.