EXCLUSIVE: Sen. Tommy Tuberville rolls out legislation to help veterans' mental health

As Veteran Suicide Prevention Awareness Month kicks off, Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R., Ala.) wants veterans who are suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to be able to access alternate forms of care, like Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber Treatment (HBOT) — and he is introducing legislation, obtained exclusively by the Washington Reporter, to make that easier.

Tuberville’s bill, the Veterans National Traumatic Brain Injury Act, which would establish a pilot program for three years at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish HBOT for veterans diagnosed with a TBI or PTSD at two designated Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs), designate a general fund at the Department of Treasury for this pilot program funneled through donations received by the VA Secretary, and require the Comptroller General to provide an updated report on HBOT research.

“It is past time we offer our vets alternate forms of care,” Tuberville explained. “These brave men and women often come home with scars from war that we cannot see. For veterans who have exhausted options, access to HBOT treatment could make a life-changing difference. September is Veteran Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and our service men and women facing mental health challenges should have access to alternative forms of treatment. This bill has had great success in the House of Representatives, and I’m proud to introduce it in the Senate where I hope to see my colleagues prioritize evidence-based treatment options for our vets like HBOT.”

From his perch on the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Tuberville has long been a champion for America’s veterans; he recently introduced bills like the the Supporting Families of the Fallen Act, Restoring Benefits to Defrauded Veterans Act and legislation to streamline Post-9/11 benefits for service members and their dependents.

Tuberville also has no problem calling his colleagues out when they inflate their resumes on veterans’ issues; he recently blasted Sen. Jon Ossoff (D., Ga.) for falsely claiming that he “championed” the VA Home Loan Reform Act of 2025.

On the House side, Rep. Greg Murphy (R., N.C.) introduced companion legislation that passed in the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

“America tragically loses 17 or more veterans to suicide each day,” Murphy said. “Post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries are far more prevalent among the veteran community than most understand. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a promising treatment option that offers a lifeline to veterans with PTSD/TBI on whom other treatments have failed.”

“HBOT has undergone extensive and rigorous evaluation that enjoys great evidential support, not only in the U.S. but other countries, most notably out of Israel,” Murphy added. “Historic progress was made last Congress despite strong opposition by the Biden Administration. I am proud to continue my fight, alongside Senator Tuberville, to make this therapy accessible to all of America's veterans.”