PETITION IN SUPPORT OF SENATE BILL 320 (BEALL)

My dear friend Elizabeth Espat suffered a brain injury (aneurism) in October 2012, and has been through incredible physical trauma in the past five months: multiple surgeries (coil insertion, decompressive hemicraniectomy, tracheotomy), seizures, strokes, and a medically induced coma. She is currently in a persistent vegetative state at a local Skilled Nursing Facility, where she is awaiting clearance for surgery. The surgery is a required step which would allow her to progress to the next stage of recovery. With every day that goes by, her SNF benefits diminish due to limitations of her health insurance PPO. Her brain and body need ample time to repair, reconnect, and heal so that she can begin rehabilitation.

SB 320 will enable uniform and non-discriminatory access to treatment for acquired brain injury across an established continuum of licensed treatment settings specifically designed to provide the most clinically effective and cost efficient specialized treatment for acquired brain injury and to ensure that acquired brain injury as a catastrophic health condition is treated on par with other major medical conditions which have no time limitations.

This petition reflects additional names added to the identical petition submitted by me on 3/15/13
Thank you -

Kris Homsher