H.R. 5943: Transforming Healing, Resilience, and Integrative Veteran Engagement Act of 2025

This bill, known as the Transforming Healing, Resilience, and Integrative Veteran Engagement Act of 2025, aims to improve mental health care for veterans by establishing a task force specifically focused on complementary and integrative health approaches. Here’s a breakdown of its main components:

Establishment of the Task Force

The bill requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to create a task force called the "Task Force on Complementary and Integrative Health/Whole Health" within 90 days of the bill's enactment. The task force will consist of various members, including:

• The Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Chair)
• The Executive Director of the Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
• The Director of the Research and Development Office
• The Executive Director of the Office of Patient-Centered Care and Cultural Transformation
• Researchers from academic institutions specializing in complementary and integrative health
• Clinicians experienced in treating veterans with specified mental health conditions
• Representatives from veterans service organizations focused on mental health and suicide prevention
• Representatives from community-based programs with successful mental health interventions

Responsibilities of the Task Force

The task force will have several key responsibilities:

• Assess veterans' access to complementary and integrative health therapies and programs at VA facilities.
• Develop a framework to evaluate the effectiveness of various therapies such as acupuncture, meditation, and yoga, as treatments for conditions like PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
• Identify gaps in research and implementation of these therapies in VA facilities.
• Determine how to integrate new therapies into veterans' care.
• Analyze factors that lead to treatment dropout among veterans.
• Suggest additional resources Congress might provide to improve access to these therapies.

Reporting Requirements

Within one year of its establishment, the task force must submit recommendations to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs regarding its responsibilities. The Secretary will then report back to Congress:

• An initial report on the recommendations within 90 days of receiving them.
• A final report with a plan to address those recommendations within 180 days of the initial report.

Task Force Termination

The task force will conclude its activities once it has submitted its recommendations to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

Definitions

The bill also provides definitions for key terms, including:

• Peer-led model and peer-supported program: Programs where veterans with lived experience help support other veterans.
• Community-based program: Programs operated by non-governmental or nonprofit organizations that provide health services and may receive funding from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Relevant Companies

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