Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for veterans with PTSD or traumatic brain injury furnished by the Veterans Administration is in a proposal from a North Carolina congressman that has cleared a congressional subcommittee.
Veterans National Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment Act, also known as House Resolution 1336, cleared the Subcommittee on Health within the Committee on Veterans Affairs. Getting past the full committee led by Chairman Mike Bost, R-Ill., will be the next step in what has been a long journey started by U.S. Rep. Dr. Greg Murphy, R-N.C.
“Providing innovative treatment solutions for our veterans has been a priority of mine since taking office,” Murphy said. “Sadly, this nation loses more than 17 veterans a day from suicide. One of the greatest reasons for this is TBI/PTSD.”
PTSD is the acronym for post-traumatic stress disorder, a condition that can happen after shocking, dangerous or terrifying experiences. It includes but is not limited to wars and disasters. The therapy is often called by its acronym of HBOT.
“Our veterans need new therapies to help combat the suicide epidemic,” Murphy said in a release. “Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a well-proven intervention that helps veterans suffering from TBI/PTSD and our veterans should have access to this at their VA. I’m deeply grateful for the support of my colleagues and look forward to continuing my advocacy on behalf of this lifesaving treatment.”
Murphy has authored his proposal in each of the last four Congresses. The Biden administration was strongly opposed. Republicans, prior to some Tuesday elections, have the White House, and majorities of 53 in the Senate and 218 in the House of Representatives.
The treatment involves about 40 sessions. More than two dozen veterans in North Carolina have participated.
In a broader study, HBOT produced “one of the greatest reductions in PTSD symptoms in a four-week period with any reported treatment.”
Prevention of suicide is the most compelling advocacy for the treatment. It is not, however, approved by the federal government. It classifies TBI and PTSD as mental illness and approves drugs and counseling for treatments.
Cosponsors for the legislation include fellow Tarheel Reps. Addison McDowell, R-N.C., Don Davis, D-N.C., and Deborah Ross, D-N.C.
