Bill Pascrell: “Instead of using the same test, the military uses a simple questionnaire for postdeployment screenings--a written…”

“Instead of using the same test, the military uses a simple questionnaire for postdeployment screenings--a written questionnaire. These assessments are not comparable. They do not detect changes to a soldier's brain. Just like in sports, the key to pre- and postinjury assessment is to use the same tool. When you have a baseline, you are better able to compare. As cochair of the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force, I recognize the need to help both our military and civilian populations in addressing brain injury. My amendment, which is endorsed by the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, which has bipartisan support, ensures our troops are given the proper cognitive screenings today and in the future. I ask my colleagues to support my amendment.”