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[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7091 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7091
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish an
investigational research and extended access treatment program
utilizing innovative treatments and emerging therapies to address
conditions with unmet medical needs, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 15, 2026
Mr. Bergman (for himself and Mr. Correa) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish an
investigational research and extended access treatment program
utilizing innovative treatments and emerging therapies to address
conditions with unmet medical needs, and for other purposes.
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 ``Expanding Veterans' Access to
Emerging Treatments Act''.
SEC. 2. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) Many conditions, such as chronic pain, post-traumatic
stress disorder, and substance use disorders, continue to
challenge the veteran community amid a lack of new innovative
treatments and emerging therapies.
(2) These and other conditions represent an urgent unmet
medical need among veterans.
(3) The Department of Veterans Affairs should continue to
advance research and facilitate timely access to innovative
treatments and emerging therapies, including psychedelic- and
entactogenic-assisted therapies, for veterans with such unmet
treatment needs.
SEC. 3. RESEARCH PROGRAM OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS ON
INNOVATIVE TREATMENTS AND EMERGING THERAPIES FOR CERTAIN
COVERED CONDITIONS.
(a) Establishment.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall develop
an investigational research program for the treatment of veterans
diagnosed with a covered condition using innovative treatments and
emerging therapies, consistent with applicable Federal law, including
laws governing investigational medical products and controlled
substances. Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall designate a lead administrator to carry
out the research and treatment program under this section.
(b) Investigational Research Program.--The Department of Veterans
Affairs may--
(1) conduct one or more clinical trials for the treatment
of a covered condition that include veterans as participants in
the clinical trial using innovative treatments and emerging
therapies, which may be selected following a review of their
efficacy, safety, and ease of administration; and
(2) develop a compassionate or extended access protocol
that facilitates consideration of, and as appropriate access
to, innovative treatments and emerging therapies.
(c) Participation in Clinical Trials or Extended Access.--The
Secretary shall establish a process under which a veteran diagnosed
with a covered condition may--
(1) participate in a clinical trial conducted under this
section; or
(2) be considered for access to an innovative treatment or
emerging therapy under a compassionate or extended access
protocol, as clinically appropriate.
(d) Additional Authority.--In addition to carrying out the
activities under this section, the Secretary may, using amounts
otherwise authorized to be appropriated and otherwise available to the
Department of Veterans Affairs, support one or more clinical research
trials using innovative treatments and emerging therapies described in
subsection (g).
(e) Report Required.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on
Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a
report, including the following:
(1) Identification of clinics designated to host activities
under such a protocol under this section and the number of
veterans expected to participate in a clinical trial conducted
in subsection (b);
(2) Information on the findings and outcomes of such
clinical trials, including preliminary outcomes; and
(3) A review of all innovative treatments and emerging
therapies utilized for the treatment of covered conditions,
including safety and efficacy studies, cost, regulatory, and
logistical considerations associated with each.
(f) Sunset.--Not later than two years after the date of enactment
of this Act, the investigational program shall be reviewed by the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs, who may then choose to extend or
terminate the program at their discretion.
(g) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) The term ``innovative treatment'' means any of the
following:
(A) 3,4-Methylenedioxy-methamphetamine;
(B) 5-Methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine;
(C) 5-Methoxy-2-aminoindane;
(D) Ibogaine;
(E) Ketamine;
(F) Psilocybin; and
(G) Such other treatments as may be designated by
the Secretary.
(2) The term ``emerging therapies'' means any of the
following:
(A) Investigational pharmaceutical candidates that
meet the Government's Definition of Recovery;
(B) Investigational medical devices, such as deep
brain neurostimulation or hyperbaric oxygen therapy;
and
(C) Such other therapeutic interventions as may be
designated by the Secretary.
(3) The term ``covered condition'' means any of the
following:
(A) Anxiety;
(B) Chronic pain;
(C) Depression;
(D) Post-traumatic stress disorder;
(E) Substance use disorders, including but not
limited to alcohol use and cocaine use disorders;
(F) Traumatic brain injury; and
(G) Such other conditions as may be designated by
the Secretary.
(h) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to require or direct the Secretary to act in a manner
inconsistent with applicable Federal law, including laws governing
investigational medical products and controlled substances.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
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