Analyst Brief July 20, 2026

H.R. 1493 — To reauthorize and make improvements to Federal programs relating to the prevention, detection, and treatment of traumatic brain injuries, and for other purposes, as amended

Current Status

Suspend the Rules and Pass the Bill, with An Amendment

Executive Summary

H.R. 1493 reauthorizes and modernizes federal traumatic brain injury (TBI) programs through FY 2030, renaming the CDC's surveillance program after the late Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. The legislation expands data collection to track TBI prevalence, long-term mental health impacts, and high-risk populations such as domestic violence survivors and public safety officers. It authorizes $9.25 million annually for CDC surveillance and $13.1 million annually for state and tribal grant programs, while introducing a maintenance of effort requirement and matching fund waivers to ensure program stability.

Bill Data

Primary Sponsor

Mr. Pallone

Bill Number

H.R. 1493

Session

119th

Co-Sponsors

Mr. BaconMr. MenendezMr. CrenshawMr. DeluzioMr. RutherfordMr. Vindman
View on Congress.gov ↗

Arguments For

  • Political Cover: Provides an easy, feel-good bipartisan vote that honors a late Member (Pascrell) while delivering tangible support to highly sympathetic constituencies: veterans, law enforcement, and domestic violence survivors.
  • Economic Case: Reduces downstream Medicare/Medicaid costs by improving early detection and long-term management of TBIs, potentially delaying the onset of costly comorbidities like dementia.
  • Flexibility for Under-Resourced Areas: The 50% matching fund waiver ensures that poorer states and tribal consortiums are not boxed out of federal assistance due to temporary budget shortfalls.

Likely Supporters

Brain Injury Association of AmericaFraternal Order of PoliceNational Network to End Domestic ViolenceVeterans Service Organizations (VSOs)

Arguments Against

  • Fiscal Pushback: Fiscal hawks may object to the combined ~$22.3M annual authorization without corresponding offsets, viewing it as an unnecessary expansion of CDC purview.
  • Implementation Risk (MOE): The strict 'Maintenance of Effort' (MOE) provision restricts state budget flexibility, potentially deterring some states from participating if they anticipate future revenue shortfalls.

Likely Opponents

Fiscal conservative advocacy groups

📋 Key Provisions

  • Renames the CDC's TBI surveillance program to 'The Bill Pascrell, Jr., National Program for Traumatic Brain Injury Surveillance and Registries'.
  • Authorizes $9.25 million annually (FY26-FY30) for CDC TBI surveillance and $13.1 million annually for state and tribal TBI grants.
  • Expands data collection mandates to include TBI prevalence, long-term outcomes, and high-risk populations (e.g., public safety officers, domestic violence survivors).
  • Allows the HHS Secretary to waive up to 50% of state/tribal matching fund requirements to prevent program disruption.
  • Imposes a 'Maintenance of Effort' requirement, forcing states and tribal consortiums to maintain non-federal funding levels to receive grants.
  • Mandates a comprehensive HHS study on the chronic effects of TBIs, including correlations with dementia and mental health conditions.
search Verification Guide BETA expand_more

Don't trust AI? Don't worry, neither do I. Verify the claims yourself.

Claim Analysis Page 5, Line 22

Authorizes $9,250,000 annually for CDC TBI programs from 2026 to 2030.

Verify Text

"appropriated $9,250,000 for each of fiscal years"

Claim Analysis Page 7, Line 1

Allows the Secretary to waive up to 50 percent of the matching fund amount for state grants.

Verify Text

"waive not more than 50 percent of the matching"

Claim Analysis Page 9, Line 10

Authorizes $13,118,000 annually for state TBI programs from 2026 to 2030.

Verify Text

"sections 1252 and 1253 $13,118,000 for each"

Claim Analysis Page 11, Line 6

Requires a study examining correlations between TBI and dementia or mental health conditions.

Verify Text

"conditions, such as dementia and mental health"