The TREAT PTSD Act mandates the Department of Veterans Affairs and TRICARE to provide stellate ganglion block (SGB) for veterans and active service members diagnosed with PTSD, and requires updating clinical guidelines to include SGB as a therapy option.
Scott Perry
Representative
PA-10
The TREAT PTSD Act mandates the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense to provide stellate ganglion block (SGB) to veterans and members of the Armed Forces diagnosed with PTSD who elect to receive it after being fully informed of its risks and benefits. It allows the treatment to be furnished through VA or military medical facilities, or qualified healthcare providers. The bill also requires updating the VADOD Clinical Practice Guideline for PTSD management to include SGB as a therapy option.
New 'TREAT PTSD Act' Mandates Stellate Ganglion Block Therapy for Veterans and Service Members
The Treatment and Relief through Emerging and Accessible Therapy for PTSD Act, or the TREAT PTSD Act, is pretty straightforward: it requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) to offer a specific treatment called stellate ganglion block (SGB) to veterans and active-duty service members diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
New PTSD Therapy On the Block
So, what exactly is SGB? It's a procedure where an anesthetic is injected near a group of nerves in your neck (the stellate ganglion). For a while, it's been used for pain management, but there's growing evidence it can help with PTSD symptoms, too. This bill makes SGB an official option for those who want to try it, after they've been informed about the risks and benefits, of course. Think of it like adding another tool to the toolbox for tackling PTSD. This treatment can be provided at VA or DoD medical facilities, or by an outside, qualified health care provider. (SEC. 2)
Rollout and Real-World Impact
The bill gives the VA and DoD 180 days to update the official Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) for managing PTSD. This means SGB will get added to the list of recommended therapies, along with clear guidelines on when it should (and shouldn't) be used. Once that's done, the relevant congressional committees will be notified. (SEC. 2) For a veteran or active service member, this means potentially having access to a new treatment option that could help manage their PTSD. Imagine a veteran who's been struggling with traditional treatments finally finding relief with SGB – that's the kind of real-world impact this bill is aiming for. For example, Staff Sergeant Jones, an infantryman who has been struggling with PTSD, might be able to more effectively manage his symptoms and return to civilian life.
Challenges and Connections
While the bill is focused on expanding access to SGB, it's important to remember this is not a magic solution. There are always potential challenges. For instance, making sure there are enough trained providers to administer SGB, and tracking the long-term effects, will be important. But overall, by making SGB a recognized treatment option, the TREAT PTSD Act takes a step toward improving the lives of those who've served our country and are now battling PTSD.