"Giffords' rehab fully covered, but not so for other victims of brain injury"

[Cleita]

By JoNel Aleccia
Health writer
msnbc.com

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41315890/ns/us_news/

<snip>

Two-thirds sent home with no further care

“They give you what you get,” said Randy Jones, 55, a high school history teacher and football coach who adopted Steven as a toddler along with his sister, Chely, now 14, from foster care. “Some of the rehab we did was whatever we could. It’s like going to a restaurant. If you have $5, this is what you can order for $5.”

Unlike Giffords, Steven's access to the early, intensive therapy that doctors now believe is key to the fullest recovery was limited and inconsistent. What’s worse, say brain injury advocates, is that he is not alone.

“Gabrielle Giffords is likely to receive ideal care because of who she is,” said Mark Ashley, chairman emeritus of the Brain Injury Association of America, based in Vienna, Va. “You and I would not be in the same situation.”

About 1.7 million people suffer traumatic brain injuries every year in the U.S., according to government statistics, with about a quarter resulting in moderate to severe cases. Of the 275,000 hospitalized for brain injuries every year, about two-thirds are sent home with no further medical treatment, Ashley said.

<snip>

More at link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41315890/ns/us_news/

[Autumn]

1. That shows the difference between insurance finance reform

and health care reform.

[ThomCat]

2. Yes, insurance reform will put more people in that poor

kid's position. Health care reform would put more people in the congresswoman's position.