TMA Letter: CSHB 2038 on Athletic Concussions Management

April 6, 2011

The Honorable Four Price
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, Texas 78768-2910

Dear Representative Price:  

Re: House Bill 2038  

The Texas Medical Association and Texas Pediatric Society would like to thank you for the opportunity to work with you and Sen. Robert Deuell on House Bill 2038. The proposed changes
to the bill include important components that improve the strategy to address concussion management among young Texas athletes.

HB 2038 includes several critical elements of a comprehensive strategy to address concussions among student athletes. We believe our young athletes will benefit from a team approach to
recognizing concussions with physicians taking an important role in evaluating a suspected concussion. We also value professional training as well as education for students and families on
concussion prevention, symptoms, treatment, and returning to play.

A concussion is a serious concern for anyone, but especially a young athlete since their brains are still developing. Our understanding of concussions is still evolving, and has changed
markedly over the past several years. Because of this, we want to be sure to have the ability to incorporate new scientific guidelines as they develop. For this we pledge to continue to work
with you to create safe opportunities for young athletes to participate in sports.

The Committee Substitute for HB 2038 addresses a very important issue and we are happy to support the bill. We look forward to continuing to work on this issue with the Texas
Legislature. TMA and TPS would again like to thank you for your leadership and commitment to protect student athletes. We appreciate the committee’s consideration on this bill and others
related to student health.  

Sincerely,  

Sara G. Austin, MD
Chair, TMA Ad Hoc Committee on Student Athlete Concussions  

cc: Sen. Robert Deuell

82nd Texas Legislature Testimonies 

Last Updated On

June 20, 2016

Originally Published On

April 12, 2011

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