Skip to main content

Murphy Legislation to Provide Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy to Veterans Passes VA Health Subcommittee

March 25, 2025

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D.'s legislation, H.R. 1336, the Veterans National Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment Act, passed the House Veterans' Affairs Health Subcommittee. This bipartisan bill would establish a pilot program at the Department of Veterans Affairs to furnish hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for veterans who have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

"Providing innovative treatment solutions for our veterans has been a priority of mine since taking office," said Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. "Sadly, this nation loses more than 17 veterans a day from suicide. One of the greatest reasons for this is TBI/PTSD. Our veterans need new therapies to help combat the suicide epidemic. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a well-proven intervention that helps veterans suffering from TBI/PTSD and our veterans should have access to this at their VA. I’m honored to announce that the U.S. House Veterans' Affairs Health Subcommittee has passed my Veterans National Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment Act, paving the way for national reform. I'm deeply grateful for the support of my colleagues and look forward to continuing my advocacy on behalf of this lifesaving treatment."

Cosponsors
Reps. Marilyn Strickland (D-WA), Jennifer Kiggans (R-VA), Don Davis (D-NC), Addison McDowell (R-NC),  Deborah Ross (D-NC), Derrick Van Orden (R-WI), Josh Harder (D-CA), Sherri Biggs (R-SC), Rob Wittman (R-VA), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), and Del. Kimberlyn King-Hinds (R-MP AL).

Background
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy accelerates the brain’s healing process by providing the bloodstream with elevated oxygen to reach and repair damaged tissue and restore normal function.

Studies demonstrate that HBOT is an effective treatment for veterans suffering from PTSD and TBI. Authors of one such study described HBOT as having "one of the greatest reductions in PTSD symptoms in a four-week period with any reported treatment."

Despite its proven efficacy and requests by Members of Congress, the Department of Veterans Affairs currently does not employ HBOT.