Photo: Getty Images
A bill championed by State Senator Michelle Hinchey to enhance services for New Yorkers with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) has been signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul. The legislation, introduced in 2021, mandates the New York State TBI Services Coordinating Council to develop recommendations for TBI care within a year and post them on the state Department of Health website.
The bill, inspired by the experiences of former Ulster County resident Hannah Berryan and her mother, Katherine, marks the first statewide review of TBI care in New York. Hannah Berryan suffered a severe TBI in a car accident at age 16, requiring 24-hour care. Due to limited local options, she had to move out of state for treatment, while her mother continues to advocate for TBI survivors in New York.
Senator Hinchey expressed pride in the bill's passage, stating it will "shine a light on how we need to help people with this complex disability live the best quality of life possible." Katherine Berryan, a TBI advocate, praised the bill for bringing attention to the underserved brain injury population in New York.
The law directs the TBI Services Coordinating Council to examine the availability and accessibility of services, regional disparities, and emerging trends in TBI care. The recommendations aim to improve outcomes for New Yorkers with TBI and ensure they can access necessary care without leaving their communities.