Gillibrand pushes bill to expand traumatic brain injury care for veterans
U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand made several stops around the state Friday to gain support for legislation to extend health benefits and preventative treatment for veterans exposed to blast overpressure from explosions or their own weapons, who are at a higher risk for traumatic brain injuries.
People who have served in the military overseas are three times more likely to develop traumatic brain injuries, according to National Center for PTSD data. Servicemembers are suffering from these brain injuries or diseases at an increasing rate — caused by the blast from many weapons used in training or combat.