As discussed in a previous post, U.S. Representative Bill Pascrell (NJ-8) proposed legislation that would better protect student athletes from the dangers of sports-related concussions. On September 16, 2010, the Concussion Treatment and Care Tools (ConTACT) Act was approved by Health Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The subcommittee’s vote followed a September 8, 2010 hearing on the legislation at the Prudential Center in Newark held by Chairman Frank Pallone (D-NJ-6).
“More and more of my colleagues in Congress are realizing what so many families across the country have realized. A concussion is brain damage, pure and simple, and we need to be prepared with the right protocols and guidelines to help our children when they sustained a concussion as they participate in sports,” said Pascrell, the co-founder and co-chairman of the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force who originally introduced the ConTACT Act in November 2008.”