H.R. 7091

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7091 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7091

To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish an 
investigational research and extended access treatment program 
utilizing innovative treatments and emerging therapies to address 
conditions with unmet medical needs, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 15, 2026

Mr. Bergman (for himself and Mr. Correa) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish an 
investigational research and extended access treatment program 
utilizing innovative treatments and emerging therapies to address 
conditions with unmet medical needs, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Expanding Veterans' Access to 
Emerging Treatments Act''.

SEC. 2. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) Many conditions, such as chronic pain, post-traumatic 
stress disorder, and substance use disorders, continue to 
challenge the veteran community amid a lack of new innovative 
treatments and emerging therapies.
(2) These and other conditions represent an urgent unmet 
medical need among veterans.
(3) The Department of Veterans Affairs should continue to 
advance research and facilitate timely access to innovative 
treatments and emerging therapies, including psychedelic- and 
entactogenic-assisted therapies, for veterans with such unmet 
treatment needs.

SEC. 3. RESEARCH PROGRAM OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS ON 
INNOVATIVE TREATMENTS AND EMERGING THERAPIES FOR CERTAIN 
COVERED CONDITIONS.

(a) Establishment.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall develop 
an investigational research program for the treatment of veterans 
diagnosed with a covered condition using innovative treatments and 
emerging therapies, consistent with applicable Federal law, including 
laws governing investigational medical products and controlled 
substances. Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary shall designate a lead administrator to carry 
out the research and treatment program under this section.
(b) Investigational Research Program.--The Department of Veterans 
Affairs may--
(1) conduct one or more clinical trials for the treatment 
of a covered condition that include veterans as participants in 
the clinical trial using innovative treatments and emerging 
therapies, which may be selected following a review of their 
efficacy, safety, and ease of administration; and
(2) develop a compassionate or extended access protocol 
that facilitates consideration of, and as appropriate access 
to, innovative treatments and emerging therapies.
(c) Participation in Clinical Trials or Extended Access.--The 
Secretary shall establish a process under which a veteran diagnosed 
with a covered condition may--
(1) participate in a clinical trial conducted under this 
section; or
(2) be considered for access to an innovative treatment or 
emerging therapy under a compassionate or extended access 
protocol, as clinically appropriate.
(d) Additional Authority.--In addition to carrying out the 
activities under this section, the Secretary may, using amounts 
otherwise authorized to be appropriated and otherwise available to the 
Department of Veterans Affairs, support one or more clinical research 
trials using innovative treatments and emerging therapies described in 
subsection (g).
(e) Report Required.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on 
Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a 
report, including the following:
(1) Identification of clinics designated to host activities 
under such a protocol under this section and the number of 
veterans expected to participate in a clinical trial conducted 
in subsection (b);
(2) Information on the findings and outcomes of such 
clinical trials, including preliminary outcomes; and
(3) A review of all innovative treatments and emerging 
therapies utilized for the treatment of covered conditions, 
including safety and efficacy studies, cost, regulatory, and 
logistical considerations associated with each.
(f) Sunset.--Not later than two years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the investigational program shall be reviewed by the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs, who may then choose to extend or 
terminate the program at their discretion.
(g) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) The term ``innovative treatment'' means any of the 
following:
(A) 3,4-Methylenedioxy-methamphetamine;
(B) 5-Methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine;
(C) 5-Methoxy-2-aminoindane;
(D) Ibogaine;
(E) Ketamine;
(F) Psilocybin; and
(G) Such other treatments as may be designated by 
the Secretary.
(2) The term ``emerging therapies'' means any of the 
following:
(A) Investigational pharmaceutical candidates that 
meet the Government's Definition of Recovery;
(B) Investigational medical devices, such as deep 
brain neurostimulation or hyperbaric oxygen therapy; 
and
(C) Such other therapeutic interventions as may be 
designated by the Secretary.
(3) The term ``covered condition'' means any of the 
following:
(A) Anxiety;
(B) Chronic pain;
(C) Depression;
(D) Post-traumatic stress disorder;
(E) Substance use disorders, including but not 
limited to alcohol use and cocaine use disorders;
(F) Traumatic brain injury; and
(G) Such other conditions as may be designated by 
the Secretary.
(h) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
construed to require or direct the Secretary to act in a manner 
inconsistent with applicable Federal law, including laws governing 
investigational medical products and controlled substances.
<all>