Urges US Department of Veterans Affairs to study use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for veterans.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Alixon Collazos-Gill and 9 co-sponsors

NJ's AJR 178 urges the federal VA to study hyperbaric oxygen therapy for veterans with treatment-resistant PTSD or TBI; transmits the resolution to key federal and state officials.

Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee

#veterans

Overview

AJR 178 is a joint resolution introduced in the New Jersey Legislature on May 16, 2024. It is non-binding and serves to urge the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to study the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for veterans, particularly as a potential treatment option for those with treatment-resistant PTSD and/or traumatic brain injury (TBI). The measure has been referred to the Assembly Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

Purpose and Intent

To advocate for a formal study by the federal VA of HBOT as a treatment option for veterans who have PTSD or TBI and for whom standard treatments have not been effective.

To build on prior VA efforts and pilot program activity related to HBOT, and to ensure ongoing evaluation of HBOT’s efficacy for this population.

Key Provisions

Urging Study by VA: The core directive is that the VA should study the use of HBOT for veterans.

Communication of the Resolution: Copies of the resolution (as filed with the Secretary of State) will be transmitted to:

Each member of Congress elected from New Jersey
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs
The Adjutant General of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs

Effective Date: The joint resolution takes effect immediately.

Context and Background (as provided in the bill)

Veterans face exposure to traumatic events (combat, training accidents, military sexual trauma), contributing to PTSD for many veterans (cited statistic: 23% of veterans in VA health care have had PTSD at some point).

PTSD is described in the resolution as involving hormonal and autonomic nervous system changes, as well as alterations in brain activity/structure, with symptoms such as flashbacks, insomnia, anxiety, and depression.

HBOT is defined as a treatment in which a patient is enclosed in a pressure chamber and breathes oxygen at pressures greater than one atmosphere, with prior assertions that HBOT can address brain structure and function disruptions.

The VA previously announced in 2017 that HBOT would be offered to a small group of veterans with PTSD symptoms resistant to standard treatments.

VA-supported evidence briefs (2018 and 2021) reviewed HBOT for veterans with TBI and PTSD unresponsive to other treatments.

A pilot program to furnish HBOT for veterans with PTSD or TBI received a favorable procedural action in the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health on April 16, 2024 (by voice vote).

Who Is Affected

Veterans, particularly those with PTSD and/or TBI who have not responded to standard treatments, could be the focus of the study urged by this resolution.

Federal policymakers and the VA would be the primary entities involved in conducting and evaluating the study.

New Jersey’s congressional representatives, and state veterans affairs officials, are explicitly addressed through the resolution’s transmission provisions.

Bottom Line

AJR 178 is a state-level, non-binding appeal urging the federal VA to study HBOT’s potential as a treatment option for veterans with PTSD and/or TBI, informed by existing VA discussions and pilot activities. It underscores ongoing interest in evaluating alternative therapies and directs the transmission of the resolution to relevant federal and state officials.

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