Sponsored by:
Assemblyman MICHAEL VENEZIA
District 34 (Essex)
Assemblywoman SHANIQUE SPEIGHT
District 29 (Essex and Hudson)
Assemblyman CHRIS TULLY
District 38 (Bergen)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblyman Wimberly, Assemblywomen Hall, Tucker, Assemblyman Sampson, Assemblywoman Morales, Assemblyman Conaway, Assemblywomen Pintor Marin and Collazos-Gill
SYNOPSIS
Urges US Department of Veterans Affairs to study use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for veterans.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution urging the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to study the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for veterans.
Whereas, Veterans can be exposed to traumatic events while serving in the military, including through war zone deployment, training accidents, and military sexual trauma; and
Whereas, Among veterans using health care provided by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, 23 percent of veterans had post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at some point in their life; and
Whereas, Post-traumatic stress is associated with chemical changes in the body's hormonal system and autonomic nervous system, and is characterized by symptoms including flashbacks, nightmares, insomnia, avoidance, hypervigilance, anxiety, and depression; and
Whereas, Some veterans respond poorly to PTSD treatments that are currently available, which can lead to long-term unremitting symptoms that change brain activity and structure; and
Whereas, Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), defined as a mode of medical treatment in which the patient is entirely enclosed in a pressure chamber breathing oxygen at a pressure greater than one atmosphere, has been effective in treating disruptions of brain structure and functions; and
Whereas, In 2017, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs announced it would offer HBOT as a treatment option for a small group of veterans with PTSD symptoms resistant to standard treatments; and
Whereas, An evidence brief on the use of HBOT to treat veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and PTSD in whom other treatments have not been successful was conducted by the Evidence-based Synthesis Program for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs in 2018 and in 2021; and
Whereas, On April 16, 2024, legislation establishing a pilot program at the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to furnish HBOT for veterans who have PTSD or TBI passed the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health by voice vote; and
Whereas, The brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces, who proudly serve the nation and risk their lives to protect our freedom, deserve the investment of every possible resource to ensure their lasting physical, mental, and emotional well-being; and
Whereas, It is important to study the efficacy of HBOT as an alternative treatment option for veterans with treatment-resistant PTSD to indicate whether the treatment will bring about beneficial change for these veterans; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The State of New Jersey respectfully urges the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to study the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for veterans.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly or the Secretary of the Senate to each member of Congress elected from this State, to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and to the Adjutant General of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution urges the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to study the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for veterans.
While serving their country, military members can come across various traumatic events through circumstances such as war zone deployment, training accidents, and military sexual trauma. Among veterans using health care provided by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, 23 percent had post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at some point in their life. PTSD can cause chemical changes in the body's hormonal system and autonomic nervous system, as well as changes to brain activity and structure. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been effective in treating disruptions of brain structure and functions, making it a potential alternative treatment for PTSD.
In 2017, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs announced it would offer HBOT as a treatment option for a small group of veterans with PTSD symptoms resistant to standard treatments. Additionally, two evidence briefs on the use of HBOT to treat veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and PTSD in whom other treatments have not been successful were prepared for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. On April 16, 2024, legislation establishing a pilot program at the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to furnish HBOT for veterans who have PTSD or TBI passed the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health by voice vote. It is important that a study on the efficacy of HBOT be conducted to determine if the treatment will bring about beneficial changes for the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces who proudly serve the nation and risk their lives to protect our freedom.