H.R. 2623: Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence Act of 2025

This bill, titled the Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence Act of 2025, aims to enhance the treatment options available to veterans by establishing designated facilities within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for innovative therapies. Here is a breakdown of its key components:

Designation of Centers

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, based on recommendations, will designate at least five VA medical facilities as Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence. These centers will focus on treating certain conditions through innovative therapies. The Secretary will also ensure that these centers are geographically distributed to reach various veteran populations.

Requirements for Designation

To be designated as a center, a facility must:

• Receive approval from a peer review panel that assesses the scientific and clinical merit of its proposal.
• Have or develop arrangements with accredited medical schools and schools of social work.
• Have the capability to attract qualified scientists for medical research.
• Establish an advisory committee of veterans and medical representatives.
• Conduct evaluations of the center's activities effectively.
• Coordinate education, clinical, and research activities across all facilities with these centers.
• Develop a consortium of providers to improve access to innovative therapies.
• Create a national repository of health service data related to innovative therapies for veterans.

Peer Review Panel

A panel will be established to assess proposals submitted for the creation of these centers. This panel will consist of experts in innovative therapies and will play a critical role in maintaining high standards for the proposed centers.

Annual Reporting

Within two years of the enactment of this section, and annually thereafter, the Under Secretary of Health is required to submit a report to Congress detailing:

• The activities carried out by the centers.
• Key findings made at these centers.
• Recommendations to improve delivery of innovative therapies to veterans.

Funding Authorization

An authorization of $30 million per fiscal year is designated for the support of research and educational activities at the centers. The Under Secretary for Health will allocate additional funds as deemed appropriate from the Department's medical services account.

Definitions

The bill defines covered conditions for treatment at these centers to include:

• Anxiety
• Bipolar disorder
• Chronic pain
• Depression
• Parkinson’s disease
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Substance use disorder
• Other conditions as designated by the Under Secretary

It also defines innovative therapies, including substances like:

• 3,4-Methylenedioxy-methamphetamine
• 5-Methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine
• Ibogaine
• Ketamine
• Psilocybin
• Other therapies as designated

Clerical Amendment

The bill also includes a clerical amendment to update the relevant sections of the law to include the new designation of the innovative therapies centers of excellence.

Relevant Companies

None found