H.R. 1336: Veterans National Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment Act

This bill, known as the Veterans National Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment Act, aims to create a pilot program to provide hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to veterans suffering from traumatic brain injuries (TBI) or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The key features of the bill are as follows:

Establishment of the Pilot Program

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs is required to implement a pilot program that will offer HBOT to eligible veterans through designated healthcare providers. This therapy is intended to help manage the effects of TBI and PTSD.

Locations of the Pilot Program

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs will choose three Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) to operate the pilot program. These locations will facilitate the delivery of HBOT to qualified veterans.

Funding Mechanism

• The bill establishes a specific fund known as the "VA HBOT Fund" within the general fund of the Treasury.
• This fund will be financed exclusively through donations that are explicitly allocated for this purpose.
• Funds collected will be available to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs without any restrictions tied to fiscal years, allowing for flexible spending on HBOT.
• The fund will remain active until the program is terminated, which is set to occur five years after the enactment of the bill.

Definition of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)

For the purposes of this bill, HBOT is defined as the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy via a medical device that is either:

• Approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), or
• Granted an investigational device exemption by the FDA.

Program Duration

The pilot program for providing HBOT to veterans will last for five years from the date the bill is enacted. After this five-year period, the program and associated funding will end.

Relevant Companies

• HBOM: Potentially impacted through the provision of HBOT equipment and therapies to veterans.