Bill Overview
Title: Warfighter Brain Health Act of 2022
Description: This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to establish the Warfighter Brain Health Initiative to unify efforts and programs across DOD to improve the cognitive performance and brain health of members of the Armed Forces. The bill authorizes the Defense Health Agency to conduct a pilot program to monitor blast overpressure exposure as part of the initiative.
Sponsors: Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2]
Target Audience
Population: Members of the Armed Forces
Estimated Size: 1400000
- The bill targets members of the Armed Forces, focusing on their brain health and cognitive performance.
- DOD initiatives like this generally affect active duty personnel, which number around 1.4 million globally.
- Reserve and National Guard members may indirectly benefit from improved cognitive health measures.
- Improved brain health can affect not only combat readiness but also long-term benefits for veterans.
Reasoning
- The policy directly affects active duty members of the Armed Forces who are exposed to blast overpressure during service.
- Veterans and inactive reserve members may receive indirect benefits through downstream healthcare improvements and cognitive health research.
- Civilians are generally unaffected by this policy, except for the potential benefits from research and technology that may later translate to civilian medical advancements.
- Within the military, those in active conflict zones or involved in training with explosive materials are more likely to be directly impacted by the pilot program.
Simulated Interviews
Infantry Soldier (San Diego, California)
Age: 26 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it's about time someone focused on brain health in the military. I've had friends struggle with cognitive issues after deployments.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Helicopter Pilot (Columbus, Ohio)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I mostly worry about my hearing around loud machinery, but brain health should be a priority too.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Veteran (Houston, Texas)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I wish this initiative existed while I was serving. Helping current troops is crucial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Navy Seal (Virginia Beach, Virginia)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 1/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'd feel better knowing there's more oversight and data on blast impacts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Special Forces (Fayetteville, North Carolina)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm glad to see investment in brain health. It's often overlooked.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Civilian Defense Contractor (Washington D.C.)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 20/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could potentially open new contract opportunities for research and development, but it doesn’t directly affect me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Artillery Operator (Denver, Colorado)
Age: 31 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's good to see some focus on blast effects. I've seen it affect people.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Intelligence Officer (Fort Bragg, North Carolina)
Age: 26 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I have limited exposure to blast overpressure, but overall health policies are always welcome.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Retired Colonel (Sacramento, California)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This initiative is very crucial. I often advocate for more support for veterans with brain injuries.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Combat Medic (El Paso, Texas)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Ensuring cognitive health support complements what we do medically on the field.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $55000000 (Low: $45000000, High: $65000000)
Year 2: $40000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $50000000)
Year 3: $25000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $30000000)
Year 5: $10000000 (Low: $8000000, High: $12000000)
Year 10: $7000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $9000000)
Year 100: $1000000 (Low: $500000, High: $1500000)
Key Considerations
- The measure focuses on long-term improvements in brain health and cognitive performance among military personnel.
- Initial funding requirements are substantial due to the new programs and technologies being developed and implemented.
- Implementation of the pilot program to monitor blast exposure requires specialized equipment and personnel.
- Potential long-term savings depend on improved health outcomes, reducing veteran healthcare costs.
- Collaboration across various military agencies might be required to unify the program.