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119-s-4220119th CongressWALLET

Veterans Health Administration Novel Therapeutics Preparedness Act

Sponsored By: Senator Sheehy, Tim [R-MT]

In Committee

Summary

This bill would create the Office of Novel Therapeutics within the Veterans Health Administration to develop national policy, training, and clinical models for evaluating and safely using emerging mental health treatments for veterans.

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  • Veterans and families: Would set national clinical standards, eligibility guidance, and safety monitoring for new therapeutic approaches so eligible veterans have clearer paths to care and post-treatment support.
  • Clinicians and peer specialists: Would require a workforce-readiness assessment, standardized competency-based training and credentialing, and protected clinical and research time for staff involved in these therapies.
  • VA medical centers and research: Would designate centers of excellence, require at least one center per Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN), and run a Clinical Implementation Program to test effectiveness, safety, and scalability. It would also create a Veteran Advisory Committee and coordinate with HHS, the FDA, CMS, the Department of Defense, and the DEA for regulatory and reimbursement readiness.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Pilot program for novel mental therapies

If enacted, the VA would create a Clinical Implementation Program to test FDA‑regulated mental‑health therapies. The Program would run pilots at Centers of Excellence and at least one VA medical center in each VISN. It would study safety, how well treatments work, and how to deliver care. The Secretary could prioritize PTSD, treatment‑resistant depression, substance use, suicidality, traumatic brain injury, chronic pain, and similar conditions. Veterans at participating VA sites would be eligible under the Program based on eligibility rules the VA sets.

VA Office for Novel Mental Therapies

If enacted, the VA would create an Office of Novel Therapeutics under the Under Secretary for Health. The Office would be led by a Director with expertise in clinical research and implementation science. It would set national policy, clinical standards, and training for new mental‑health treatments. It would coordinate with VA research and with HHS, FDA, CMS, DoD, and DEA on safety, billing, and data sharing. Patients seen under approved research protocols would count toward clinicians' standard productivity metrics.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Sheehy, Tim [R-MT]

MT • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ]

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 3/26/2026

  • Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 3/26/2026

  • Sen. Boozman, John [R-AR]

    AR • R

    Sponsored 3/26/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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