Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Treatment and Relief through Emerging and Accessible Therapy for PTSD VA Act” or the “TREAT PTSD VA Act”.
Treatment and Relief through Emerging and Accessible Therapy for PTSD VA Act
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish stellate ganglion block to veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Provision of stellate ganglion block to veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder
Provision to veterans—
In general— Subchapter II of chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
“1720M. Provision of stellate ganglion block for certain veterans
“(a) In general—The Secretary shall furnish stellate ganglion block to any veteran who—
“(1) is enrolled in the patient enrollment system under section 1705 of this title;
“(2) has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder; and
“(3) has elected to receive stellate ganglion block after being informed by a qualified health care provider of the risks and benefits of stellate ganglion block.
“(b) Provision of care—The Secretary may furnish stellate ganglion block under subsection (a) through a medical facility of the Department or through a health care provider specified in section 1703(c) of this title.”
Clerical amendment— The table of contents at the beginning of chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1720L the following new item:
Update of joint clinical practice guideline—
Update of guideline— Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall update the guideline titled the “VA/DOD Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) for the Management of PTSD” (or such successor guideline) to ensure the guideline—
reflects the availability of stellate ganglion block as a therapy option; and
includes information on the clinical indicators and contraindicators for such therapy option.
Notification— Upon updating the guideline under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall notify the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate of such update.
Effective date— The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.