Bill > HR6823

This bill directs the Secretary of Defense to establish a pilot program, known as the "Warfighter Traumatic Brain Injury Diagnostics Project," within 180 days of enactment to improve the diagnosis of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) for members of the Armed Forces. The program will assess the feasibility of supporting entities that research, develop, test, evaluate, or produce "covered diagnostic technologies," which are devices that help diagnose TBIs. It will evaluate these technologies to see if they can distinguish between mild, moderate, and severe TBIs, how they can be used with other diagnostic tools like imaging or biomarkers, and how they can enhance military readiness and address the growing medical burden of TBIs by more accurately assessing acute exposure. The pilot program will involve research studies with military medical experts, emergency medical technicians, and service members diagnosed with TBIs, and may offer grants to eligible entities, prioritizing those with a proven track record or those that can build relationships with nontraditional defense contractors. The Secretary will report the program's results and recommendations to Congress, and $5 million is authorized annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2029, with the program terminating on September 30, 2029.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/6823/all-info