Expanding Veterans’ Access to Emerging Treatments Act

Bill Number

H.R. 7091

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Armed Forces and National Security

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-02-02: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Last Updated

2026-02-25T09:06:31Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The legislation, titled the "Expanding Veterans' Access to Emerging Treatments Act," aims to address unmet medical needs among veterans by directing the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to create a research and treatment program. This program focuses on innovative treatments and emerging therapies—such as certain psychedelics and investigational drugs—for conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic pain, and substance use disorders that currently lack effective options.

Key Provisions

• Establishment of Program: Within 90 days of enactment, the VA Secretary must develop an investigational research program for veterans with "covered conditions" (e.g., anxiety, depression, PTSD, substance use disorders, traumatic brain injury, chronic pain, and others designated by the Secretary). A lead administrator must be appointed within 60 days.
• Research and Access Activities:
• Conduct clinical trials involving veterans to test "innovative treatments" (e.g., MDMA, psilocybin, ketamine, ibogaine, and others designated by the Secretary) and "emerging therapies" (e.g., investigational drugs meeting recovery standards, medical devices like deep brain stimulation, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and others designated by the Secretary).
• Develop protocols for compassionate or extended access, allowing eligible veterans to request these treatments outside full trials when clinically appropriate.
• Veteran Participation: Establishes a process for veterans diagnosed with covered conditions to join clinical trials or seek extended access.
• Additional Support: The VA may fund related clinical trials using existing budgets.
• Reporting and Review: Within one year, submit a report to congressional Veterans' Affairs Committees detailing participating clinics, expected veteran involvement, trial outcomes, and reviews of treatments (including safety, efficacy, costs, and logistics). The program undergoes review after two years, with the Secretary deciding whether to extend or end it.
• Compliance: All activities must align with federal laws on investigational drugs and controlled substances (e.g., no requirement to violate drug regulations).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces new mandates for the VA, creating a dedicated investigational program that did not previously exist in statute. It expands VA authority to specifically research and provide access to Schedule I controlled substances (like psilocybin and MDMA, which are psychedelics with high abuse potential under federal drug laws) for veteran care, while emphasizing compliance with existing regulations like the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Previously, VA research on such substances was limited and not systematically directed by Congress.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: The VA will need to allocate resources for program setup, trials, and reporting, potentially straining budgets unless new funding is provided. It may foster collaboration with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approvals of investigational therapies.
• Citizens (Veterans): Could improve treatment options for thousands of veterans with mental health and pain issues, offering faster access to promising but unapproved therapies through trials or expanded access, potentially reducing suicide rates and opioid dependency.
• International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it may influence global discussions on psychedelic research by positioning the U.S. as a leader in veteran-specific applications, without affecting foreign policy.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Veterans: Primary beneficiaries, especially those with PTSD, substance use disorders, or chronic pain seeking alternative therapies.
• Department of Veterans Affairs: Responsible for implementation, including designating treatments, managing trials, and ensuring legal compliance.
• Congressional Committees on Veterans' Affairs: Oversee reporting and program review.
• Researchers and Pharmaceutical Entities: Gain opportunities for VA-funded trials on innovative drugs and devices.
• Healthcare Providers: VA clinicians and designated clinics will administer treatments and handle participant processes.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Reinforces adherence to federal drug laws (e.g., Controlled Substances Act), avoiding conflicts by framing activities as investigational rather than routine prescribing. This could set precedents for "right to try" expansions in federal healthcare without overriding FDA authority.
• Constitutional: No direct challenges; aligns with Congress's spending power to direct executive agencies like the VA on veteran benefits (under Article I). Protects against equal protection issues by focusing on veterans as a defined class.
• Political: Signals bipartisan support for mental health innovation (introduced by Reps. Bergman and Correa), potentially advancing destigmatization of psychedelics in medicine. The two-year sunset clause allows flexibility amid debates on drug policy reform, but could face opposition from anti-drug advocates concerned about safety or federal overreach.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1]

Cosponsors (3)

Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46], Rep. Crenshaw, Dan [R-TX-2], Rep. Luttrell, Morgan [R-TX-8]

Recent Actions

• 2026-02-02: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
• 2026-01-15: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
• 2026-01-15: Introduced in House
• 2026-01-15: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Expanding Veterans’ Access to Emerging Treatments Act — issued 2026-01-15 — PDF (6 pages)