Bill Details
S.862 - 119th Congress
Status
Latest action
2025-03-05 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Introduced Date
2025-03-05
Policy Area
Armed Forces and National Security
Committees
View committees (1)
Sponsors
Cosponsors
7
0
0
AI Summary This summary was generated by AI from the bill text. AI can get information wrong.
This bill would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide hyperbaric oxygen therapy to some veterans with traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder. It is meant for veterans who have already tried at least two evidence-based treatments for their condition. The bill says Congress wants the VA to make more treatment choices available, especially treatments that do not rely on prescription drugs, opioids, or invasive procedures, and it points to hyperbaric oxygen therapy as one option that may help veterans who are at high risk of suicide or self-harm.
- Only veterans with traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder would be covered.
- Before getting this therapy, a veteran must have used at least two other evidence-based treatment options for the same condition.
- The bill says the VA should furnish this therapy, meaning eligible veterans would be able to receive it through the VA system.
- The bill also includes findings about the serious mental health challenges facing veterans and the need for more treatment options.
Official Summaries
No summaries available
Current Full Text
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 862 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 862
To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs to furnish hyperbaric oxygen therapy to certain
veterans with traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 5, 2025
Mr. Tuberville (for himself, Mr. Hoeven, and Mr. Cramer) introduced the
following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs to furnish hyperbaric oxygen therapy to certain
veterans with traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``HBOT Access Act of 2025''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The suicide rate among veterans is 18 per day.
(2) Veterans are at a higher risk of suicide than the
general population of the United States and Congress must
provide continued support at the Federal, State, and local
levels to combat the pandemic of veteran suicide.
(3) Veterans deserve every opportunity to enjoy the freedom
that they fought for overseas.
(4) The Department of Veterans Affairs should consider and
establish alternate treatments for traumatic brain injury and
post-traumatic stress disorder that do not require prescription
drugs, opioids, or invasive procedures.
(5) Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a proven treatment for
symptoms of traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress
disorder and should be accessible to veterans who are at a
high-risk of suicide or self-harm.
SEC. 3. HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY FOR VETERANS WITH TRAUMATIC BRAIN
INJURY OR POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER.
(a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 17 of title 38, United
States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1710E the following
new section:
``Sec. 1710F. Traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress
disorder: hyperbaric oxygen therapy
``(a) Authority.--The Secretary shall furnish hyperbaric oxygen
therapy to a veteran who--
``(1) has a condition specified in subsection (b); and
``(2) has used not fewer than two evidence-based treatment
options for such condition.
``(b) Covered Conditions.--The conditions specified in this
subsection are the following:
``(1) Traumatic brain injury.
``(2) Post-traumatic stress disorder.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of
such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section
1710E the following new item:
``1710F. Traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder:
hyperbaric oxygen therapy.''.
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