Answers to TBI Questions

Mon, 07 May 2018 22:05:16 +0100

Do you know anyone who has sustained a Traumatic Brain Injury?
Edmondson: Yes.

2. What programs would you look into implementing once elected to help those with Traumatic

Brain Injury?

Edmondson: I would work closely with the Oklahoma Developmental Disabilities Council and its staff

including Ann Trudgeon and Erin Taylor to improve existing programs and consider

implementing new ones. With all the cuts made by Republicans during the past eight years

our state Department of Mental Health cannot keep up with all the existing mandates,

much less prioritize new areas of concern. I will change that by seeking additional funding

for mental health and insist they provide additional resources to address underserved

populations like traumatic brain injury victims who may not receive care through other

health care providers.

3. In the Report to Congress: The Management of Traumatic Brain Injury in Children:

Opportunities for Action it states that “in 2003, there were approximately 640,000 TBI-related

emergency department (ED) visits, 18,000 TBI-related hospitalizations, and 1,500 TBI-related

deaths among children 14 years of age and younger. In this letter I stated Oklahoma is one of the

top 10 leading states in the nation with the most cases. What do you propose can be done to start

changing this stat?

Edmondson: The first step would be to make sure we are collecting the necessary data to understand

why these injuries are happening, and why our rates are so high in Oklahoma. Once we

understand the problem we can begin to address root causes of TBIs in Oklahoma and

reduce them. I will coordinate all state agencies to work with the Children’s’ Hospital in

Oklahoma City to see that children with TDI receive worldclass care.

If you were to look at the website for the Center for Disease Control under Traumatic Brain

Injury > Severe TBI it states “The estimated economic cost of TBI in 2010, including direct and

indirect medical costs, is estimated to be approximately $76.5 billion. Additionally the cost of

fatal TBIs and TBIs requiring hospitalization, many of which are severe, account for

approximately 90% of the total TBI medical costs.” Is there anyway you think it can be balanced

here in the state?

Edmondson: I plan to reverse the disastrous decision of Mary Fallin and accept the Medicaid expansion

and bring healthcare coverage to roughly 150,000 Oklahomans. This would provide

needed resources to treat TBIs for a large portion of the population. Extending coverage to

low-income Oklahomans would ensure that those that can least afford it are not weighed

down financially by TBIs and other injuries.

When it comes to traumatic brain injury related death, self-harm was the leading cause. Besides

promoting getting professional help, I would really want to see something done on encouraging

kids to building up their circle of friends & teaching them about who you surround yourself with

defines you and can really build you up. My doctors greatly attribute a) the support I received &

still do from my friends I knew growing up in Chandler when I had/still have flashbacks and

being my rock b) Stillwater - community, athletes at OSU for helping to encourage me and to re-

learn what it was like to be part of a unit. What type of awareness raising would you do?

Edmondson: I am aware that teen suicide is a big problem in the state and will work with the State

Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to implement prevention

programs to lower the rate of suicide and give teens the support they need. Restoring the

funding of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services would go a

long way in providing services in communities around the state. The state, most likely

through the Department of Health, could also initiate a mental health public information

campaign to bring awareness and change perceptions of mental health issues.

If someone goes to democrats.org and wants to find information about ADA rights, nothing is

there. SAD. How can someone believe you when you won’t put anything on your ADA rights

page?

Edmondson: Democrats.org does have a section on Americans with disabilities which you can read here.

One sentence that sums up our feelings on the issue is “Democrats will continue our efforts

to defend the Americans with Disabilities Act against attacks intended to undercut the

rights of people with disabilities, and we will work to ensure that workers with disabilities

are no longer denied the workforce protections available to every other American.” I am

committed to these same efforts on the state level.

Those with Traumatic Brain Injuries and Disabilities depend on both Social Security Insurance

and Medicaid/Medicare. I was kicked off a few months after I was married. Even before I was

married I was only allowed to make $80/month before money started getting cut back. Since

being kicked off I am working on doing something that will not only benefit those on SSI &

Medicaid/Medicare but get the agencies talking to one another. What are you planning to do to

help those with Traumatic Brain Injuries and Disabilities who depend on SSI and are either

completely unable to work or can work some but not work the total time someone a without

disability does?

Edmondson: While I understand the difficulties involved in continuing SSI Disability eligibility and

working as much as possible, this is a federal issue that would I have no direct influence

over as Governor. But there are many falling through the cracks between SSI, veterans

care, workers’ compensation, and wrong-headed decisions from health insurance

companies where a Governor can make a difference. Specifically, I disagree with the

decision by the Fallin Administration to sign legislation which reduced Oklahoma’s

workers’ compensation benefits to the lowest level in the nation. Working families can be

devastated by a work injury, especially the severe ones that result in a TBI. I am

committed to working to reverse these wrong-headed benefit cuts and help Oklahomans

with work-related injuries to receive the medical, indemnity, and job training benefits they

deserve.

edmondson

Answers to TBI Questions