Senator Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) introduced the bipartisan Veterans Health Administration Novel Therapeutics Preparedness Act on Mar. 27, aiming to improve veterans’ access to new mental health treatments and ensure the Department of Veterans Affairs is equipped for emerging therapies.
The proposed legislation is designed to address gaps in care for veterans facing complex mental health conditions by preparing the VA with infrastructure and governance needed for innovative therapies. This comes as research into treatments such as psychedelic-assisted therapy advances, potentially changing approaches to conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and treatment-resistant depression.
Sheehy said, “After young Americans who signed up to fight for our nation and were willing to give up their own lives for others come home, we better make sure the VA is ready to care for them and that they have access to the best, most innovative care available. The VA’s core mission is to care for veterans, and this bipartisan bill will help the hardworking men and women at the VA fulfill that critical mission.”
The bill would create an Office of Novel Therapeutics within the VA, focusing on workforce readiness planning and clinical implementation infrastructure. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), and John Boozman (R-Ark.) joined Sheehy in introducing this measure. Duckworth said, “Veterans suffering from invisible wounds like PTSD and depression deserve the same level of care from their VA as those with physical wounds… Our bill is about making our VA work better for our heroes, and that should always be a bipartisan matter.”
Gallego said his experience returning from Iraq highlighted unmet needs among fellow Marines: “There’s no one way to address veterans’ mental health… Emerging therapies like psychedelic treatment may offer real hope for veterans with PTSD when nothing else has. This bill makes sure we’re exploring every option to support them.” Boozman added that facilitating access upon FDA approval gives more options “to improve their health, including recovering from invisible wounds.” Supporters outside Congress also welcomed the move; Dr. Kyleanne Hunter of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America called it a foundation “needed to responsibly deliver breakthrough treatments,” while Jim Marszalek of Disabled American Veterans Washington Headquarters described it as a step toward building capacity before new therapies arrive.
According to the official website, Sheehy co-founded the Montana Firefighters Fund supporting families of fallen or injured wildland firefighters; he served as a Navy SEAL officer leading combat deployments; earned both a Bronze Star with Valor and Purple Heart; graduated from the United States Naval Academy where he participated in varsity crew; serves on Senate committees including Armed Services, Veterans’ Affairs, Commerce, Science & Transportation; raises four children in Montana with his wife—a former Marine Corps officer—and founded Bridger Aerospace employing hundreds locally.
The act seeks not only improved readiness but also annual reporting on outcomes so Congress can evaluate what works across all VA facilities. If enacted, observers say it could position the department at the forefront of delivering advanced therapeutic interventions within its integrated healthcare system.
