Earlier in the year Utah legislators approved House Bill 174 establishing a Traumatic Brain Injury Trust Fund. The trust fund begins with a one-time allocation of $50,000 intended to train medical personnel in treatment and recognition of traumatic brain injuries. The program will also help uninsured patients cover medical expenses not covered by Medicaid. “This fund could really open up the door for people who have been shut out of services in the past,” said Ron Roskos, director of the Brain Injury Association of Utah. “We hope this will be another avenue that individuals can use to access services.” More than 2,500 traumatic brain injuries occur a year and the number is increasing due to our returning war veterans. Only a handful of states have similar funds set aside for traumatic brain injuries. Once the distribution process has been finalized Rep. James Gowans – D, sponsor of the bill, will return to the legislature in the next session requesting long-term funding.