Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2623
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-08: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-21T08:06:29Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence Act of 2025 aims to improve the treatment of certain mental health, pain, and neurological conditions among veterans by establishing specialized centers within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). These centers will focus on research, education, and clinical use of innovative therapies, such as certain psychedelics and medications, to provide advanced care options.
Key Provisions
- Designation and Establishment: The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, based on recommendations from the Under Secretary for Health, must designate at least five VA medical facilities as "innovative therapies centers of excellence." These centers will be established and operated subject to available funding.
- Geographic Distribution: Designations must ensure the centers are spread across different regions of the United States for broader access.
- Designation Requirements: Facilities can only be selected after a peer review process confirms high scientific and clinical merit. Selected facilities must demonstrate or develop:
- Affiliations with accredited medical schools (for training in innovative therapies), schools of psychiatry, and schools of social work.
- Ability to attract creative scientists for research.
- An advisory committee including veterans, VA representatives, and affiliated school experts to guide policy.
- Capacity for evaluating center activities, coordinating national education/clinical/research efforts, forming provider consortia for wider access, and creating a national data repository on veteran health services related to innovative therapies.
- Peer Review Panel: The Under Secretary for Health will create a panel of experts in innovative therapies to evaluate proposals. Panel members serve up to two or three years (staggered terms), and the panel operates outside standard federal advisory committee rules (not subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act).
- Reporting: Starting two years after enactment and annually thereafter, the Under Secretary for Health must report to the Senate and House Veterans' Affairs Committees on center activities, key findings, recommendations for improving therapy delivery, and other relevant matters.
- Funding: Authorizes $30 million annually for research and education at the centers. Additional funds may be allocated from VA's general medical services and research accounts as needed.
- Definitions:
- Covered conditions: Anxiety, bipolar disorder, chronic pain, depression, Parkinson's disease, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance use disorder, and any others designated by the Under Secretary.
- Innovative therapy: Includes specific substances like 3,4-Methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA), 5-Methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT), ibogaine, ketamine, psilocybin, and any others designated by the Under Secretary.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill amends Chapter 73 of Title 38, United States Code (which governs VA health programs), by adding a new section (7330E) specifically for these centers. It introduces a structured framework for designating and operating specialized VA facilities focused on innovative therapies, including mandatory peer review, affiliations, and reporting—none of which previously existed for this purpose. It also updates the chapter's table of sections to include the new provision.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The VA will need to invest in facility upgrades, partnerships, and data systems, potentially straining resources but enhancing its research and clinical capabilities. Annual reporting will increase accountability to Congress.
- On Citizens: Veterans with covered conditions, particularly those related to mental health and chronic pain from military service, could gain better access to cutting-edge treatments, potentially improving health outcomes and quality of life. This may expand to non-veterans indirectly through affiliated medical schools.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though the centers' research on therapies like psychedelics could influence global discussions on substance-based treatments for trauma, given international interest in veteran mental health.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Veterans: Primary beneficiaries, especially those suffering from PTSD, depression, substance use disorders, and related conditions, through improved therapy access and research.
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): Responsible for implementation, funding allocation, and operations; includes medical staff, researchers, and facility directors.
- Medical and Educational Institutions: Accredited medical schools, psychiatry programs, and social work schools that affiliate with centers for training and research.
- Scientists and Researchers: Experts in innovative therapies who participate in panels, research, and consortia.
- Congress: Receives annual reports and oversees funding authorizations, influencing future VA policy.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill authorizes VA use of controlled substances (e.g., MDMA, psilocybin) for research and therapy under federal oversight, aligning with existing laws like the Controlled Substances Act by limiting to designated centers and peer-reviewed programs. It exempts the peer review panel from the Federal Advisory Committee Act to streamline operations.
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; it supports Congress's authority to regulate VA benefits and health services for veterans under Article I, Section 8.
- Political: Promotes bipartisan interest in veteran mental health (introduced by representatives from both parties), potentially advancing innovative treatments amid growing recognition of psychedelics' therapeutic potential. It may spark debates on funding priorities and substance regulation within federal health systems.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46]
Cosponsors (27)
Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1], Rep. Crenshaw, Dan [R-TX-2], Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17], Rep. Luttrell, Morgan [R-TX-8], Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-14], Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3], Rep. Elfreth, Sarah [D-MD-3], Rep. Wied, Tony [R-WI-8], Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13], Rep. Barrett, Tom [R-MI-7], Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8], Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6], Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2], Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-4], Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18], Rep. Barr, Andy [R-KY-6], Rep. Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-25], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Massie, Thomas [R-KY-4], Del. Radewagen, Aumua Amata Coleman [R-AS-At Large], Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52], Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large], Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-08: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
- 2025-04-03: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 2025-04-03: Introduced in House
- 2025-04-03: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence Act of 2025 — issued 2025-04-03 — PDF (7 pages)