Bills · HR 2623
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 2623Armed Forces and National Security
Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence Act of 2025
INTRO APR 3· LAST ACTION MAY 8
READING
6MIN
COSPONSORS
28BIPARTISAN
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it addresses a critical need for new and potentially more effective treatments for veterans' mental health challenges and chronic pain. Many traditional therapies don't work for all veterans, and conditions like PTSD and depression remain prevalent. By establishing dedicated centers for innovative therapies, the bill aims to accelerate research, improve access, and integrate promising new treatments, including psychedelic-assisted therapies, into mainstream VA care. This could lead to better outcomes and quality of life for veterans struggling with these difficult conditions.
If this bill becomes law, veterans would have structured access to these advanced treatments at specialized centers, potentially reducing suffering and improving recovery rates. If it doesn't pass, the availability and research of these specific innovative therapies within the VA system might remain fragmented or limited, leaving many veterans without access to potentially life-changing treatment options. It pushes the VA to proactively explore and implement treatments that are gaining traction in medical research but may not yet be widely adopted.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to designate at least five VA medical facilities as "innovative therapies centers of excellence."
This ensures a dedicated focus and infrastructure for researching and delivering new treatments for veterans.
PROVISION 02
Specifies that these centers must be geographically distributed and meet strict requirements, including partnerships with medical schools and the ability to attract top scientists.
This ensures quality control, academic rigor, and equitable access for veterans nationwide.
PROVISION 03
Defines "innovative therapies" to include substances like MDMA, Psilocybin, Ibogaine, and Ketamine, and "covered conditions" like PTSD, depression, and chronic pain.
This explicitly directs the VA to explore and provide specific cutting-edge treatments for a range of critical veteran health issues.
PROVISION 04
Authorizes $30 million annually for the research and education activities of these centers.
This provides dedicated funding to kickstart and sustain the important work of these new centers.
PROVISION 05
Requires the establishment of a national data repository within the VA system to collect data on health services related to these innovative therapies.
This facilitates evidence-based practice, allows for evaluation of treatment effectiveness, and supports continuous improvement across the VA.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 28
D· California
YRS IN OFFICE
9
BILLS LED
22
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 100%
DEM 14 REP 14 IND 0
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 2623
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedApr 3, 2025
Last actionMay 8, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED APR 3, 2025
House BillHR 2623Armed Forces and National Security
Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence Act of 2025
INTRODUCED APR 3, 2025· LAST ACTION MAY 8, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
6 min
COSPONSORS
28
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
