Dr. Brien Smith Speaks Forcefully about the Impact of Epilepsy on the Lives of Injured Veterans

Addressing the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee today, Epilepsy Foundation Board Member Brien Smith, MD testified in support of the VA Epilepsy Centers of Excellence Act of 2007, S. 2004.

“We must strike while the iron is hot,” and enact the VA Epilepsy Centers of Excellence Act of 2007, he urged the committee. Otherwise, “without proper diagnosis and care, their lives and livelihoods [will be] affected forever.”

Sponsored by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Larry Craig (R-ID), the legislation (and its companion in the House, HR 2818) would create a national network of centers that focus specifically on the research, treatment and care of veterans suffering from epilepsy.

The problem is particularly acute given the growing rates of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) among military personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan. Past studies from the Vietnam War show that more than 50% of service-related TBI develops into epilepsy within 1-15 years.

The Foundation urges all epilepsy advocates to contact their Senators and urge him/her to cosponsor S 2004. Introduced on August 3, 2007 the bill currently has three cosponsors; the House companion, HR 2818, has been cosponsored by nearly 100 Representatives.