Quick recap
The group reviewed several legislative updates and bills, including discussions about disability accommodations in schools and concussion education initiatives, while also addressing concerns about youth tackle football and helmet technology. The conversation ended with discussions about transportation and infrastructure challenges in California, including proposals for improving walkability and public transportation, along with plans to meet with representatives from various companies and addressing delegate roles for future meetings.
Summary
Legislative Updates and Bill Review
Selim provided legislative updates, including the death of SB 44 on brain computer interfaces and the status of several other bills. He mentioned that Assembly Member Valencia's office requested a letter of support for AB 708, which is in the Senate Health Committee. The group discussed AB 1100, a bill related to victim compensation, and its potential relevance to epilepsy cases. Jeff expressed uncertainty about the connection between the bill and epilepsy patients, prompting Natalia to clarify that it addresses postictal aggression and seizure-related arrests. The group agreed to further review the bill text and consider its relevance at the next meeting.
Supporting Disability Rights in Education
The group discussed two national cases involving disability accommodations in schools: AJT vs OSSEO Area Schools in Minnesota and Texas v Kennedy, where states are challenging federal disability protections. Steve suggested writing supportive letters to align with the American Academy of Neurology's (AAN) position, which Johanna agreed to draft. Jeff expressed concern about focusing on California neurology issues rather than getting involved in national politics, leading to a decision that Steve would contact AAN to confirm their position before drafting any support letters.
Youth Tackle Football Concussion Bill
The group discussed addressing concerns about youth tackle football and concussion education. Selim shared feedback from Dr. Nowinski, who supported their youth tackle resolution but expressed doubt about passing legislation with Gavin Newsom in office. Instead, they agreed to focus on expanding concussion education to include CTE awareness for coaches, with plans to draft a bill by September/October. Stella and Selim will work on drafting the bill with Chris Nowinski's help, while Jeff suggested positioning it as an expansion of existing concussion education requirements rather than a controversial ban on youth tackle football.
Youth Football Concussion Strategy
The group discussed their strategy for addressing head trauma in youth football, focusing on education rather than legislation after facing resistance. They agreed to develop a mission statement and start presenting their initiative to potential supporters, including NFL players who previously testified. Selim will research current educational requirements around concussions to inform their approach, with the goal of having legislation ready by September 2026.
Helmet Safety and Manufacturing Challenges
The group discussed helmet manufacturers' opposition to bill 708, with Selim explaining he was contacted to submit a letter of support but noted manufacturers' resistance due to potential impact on profits. Steven shared details about advanced helmet technology developed by UCSF professor Bob Knight, which addresses rotational forces and could reduce brain injuries by up to 80%. The group agreed to pursue discussions about rotational force technology with manufacturers, though Stella and others acknowledged manufacturers' primary focus on profit rather than safety. Stella also proposed inviting Dr. Charles Flippen to speak at the next conference about the "physician as citizen" topic, which received positive support from the group.
Urban Health and Transportation Planning
Johanna discussed the impact of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes on stroke patients and emphasized the need for urban planning that supports walking and public transportation. She proposed a resolution to reallocate the gas tax to fund traffic enforcement and walking trails, aiming to improve public health. Selim informed Johanna that transit agencies already offer discounted fares for people with disabilities, including those with epilepsy. The group agreed to create a resource page on the California Neurology website for epilepsy patients regarding transportation aids, with Dorian tasked to handle this. Jeff advised Johanna to check existing CMA policies on walking-related resolutions before pursuing new ones.
California Transportation Challenges Discussion
The group discussed transportation and infrastructure challenges in California, with Steven noting that California has the highest gas prices in the country and suggesting that raising the gas tax would be politically unfeasible. Jeff and Johanna agreed that improving walkability and public transportation infrastructure would be difficult due to historical decisions by General Motors that prioritized car usage over public transit. The conversation concluded with a discussion about self-driving cars, where Natalia suggested that Waymo could provide discounted rides for epilepsy patients, leading to a decision to arrange a meeting with Waymo to explore this possibility further.
Delegate Selection and Meeting Coordination
The group discussed meeting with representatives from a company, with Selim offering to meet first before inviting others. They agreed to keep others informed via email, with Selim offering to forward relevant emails. Stella raised concerns about Roger Bertoldi's involvement and lack of attendance, leading to a discussion about finding an alternate delegate for CMA meetings. Jeff offered to take on this role, though Stella agreed to serve as alternate through December due to her current CMA membership. The next legislative meeting was scheduled for the 18th.
