1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the “HBOT Access Act of 2021”.
HBOT Access Act of 2021
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.
2. Findings
Congress finds the following:
The suicide rate among veterans is 18 per day.
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.
Veterans deserve every opportunity to enjoy the freedom that they fought for overseas.
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.
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.
3. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for veterans with traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for veterans—
In general— Subchapter II of chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1710E the following new section:
“1710F. Traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder: hyperbaric oxygen therapy
“(a) Authority—The Secretary shall furnish hyperbaric oxygen therapy through a health care provider described in section 1703(c)(5) of this title to a veteran who—
“(1) has a condition specified in subsection (b);
“(2) is at a high risk of suicide or self harm, as determined by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs or the Secretary of Defense; and
“(3) 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.”
Clerical amendment— The table of sections at the beginning of such subchapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1710E the following new item:
Inclusion of information in study— Section 702(d) of the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019 (Public Law 116–171; 134 Stat. 828) is amended—
in paragraph (1), by inserting “under section 1710F of title 38, United States Code, or” before “through”; and
in paragraph (2), by inserting “under section 1710F of title 38, United States Code, or” before “through”.