U.S. Rep. Steve Knight (R-CA) introduced legislation on Tuesday that would establish a pilot program within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for veterans with neurological conditions based on breakthrough neurological treatments.
The No Hero Left Untreated Act, H.R. 5600, would establish a pilot program to use Magnetic eResonance Therapy (MeRT) technology to treat soldiers suffering from neurological conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), military sexual trauma, chronic pain and opioid addiction.
“Our veterans risked everything to protect our country and our values, and we owe them a tremendous debt,” Knight said. “We have an opportunity today to support and expand on promising technology that could bring relief to our heroes, and I am proud to be part of the effort to move forward with providing the best treatment for our veterans.”
More than 400 veterans have been treated through a series of open-label trials and placebo-controlled, double blind studies of MeRT technology administered through the Brain Treatment Center, an affiliate of the University of Southern California Center for Neurorestoration.
Research indicates that 98 percent of veteran PTSD and TBI patients have responded positively to the treatment, with an average 61 percent reduction in the severity of symptoms.
“Too many of our nation’s veterans continue to suffer from the invisible wounds of war,” Paul W. “Buddy” Bucha, a Vietnam War veteran and Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient, said in support of Knight’s bill. “We can honor those who have served by making the right investments in innovative and proven medical treatments like MeRT technology. I am grateful to Congressman Knight’s leadership, as the No Hero Left Untreated Act is exactly what our nation’s veterans need and deserve.”
U.S. Rep. Jeff Denham (R-CA), who joined Knight in introducing the bill, said that the bill was to address the approximately 22 veteran suicide deaths each day.
“Twenty-two veterans commit suicide every day, having returned from war only to face another battle,” Denham said. “These vets laid their lives on the line to protect our own. We need to be doing everything in our power to prevent any more casualties of the invisible battle and this bill takes a critical step to provide potentially life-saving services to the brave men and women who have served our country. This is for the 22.”