HBOT Access Act of 2021
Bill: S.2189 | Sponsor: Sen. Tuberville, Tommy (R-AL)
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
HBOT Access Act of 2021
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to furnish hyperbaric oxygen therapy through a provider authorized by the Veterans Community Care Program to veterans who have a traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), are at high risk of suicide or self-harm, and have used at least two evidence-based treatment options for their condition.
Veterans who receive hyperbaric oxygen therapy due to the enactment of this bill must be included in a study on individuals receiving such treatment to determine the efficacy and effectiveness of the treatment for PTSD and traumatic brain injury.

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 2021''.

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) Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Veterans.--
            (1) 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 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.''.
            (2) 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:

``1710F. Traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder: 
                            hyperbaric oxygen therapy.''.
    (b) 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--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``under section 1710F of 
        title 38, United States Code, or'' before ``through''; and
            (2) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``under section 1710F of 
        title 38, United States Code, or'' before ``through''.
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