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Reports on the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy

Title III: Health Care

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The section requires a government report updating the assessment of clinical trials on using hyperbaric oxygen therapy to treat traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder, including studies by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, and private groups. It also mandates a review of published research on off-label use of this therapy, analyzing recent studies, research methods, and available treatment facilities to identify cost-effective locations and practices for veterans.

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Section Text · Sec. 307.
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(a) GAO report on the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy to treat traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives an update to the report titled Research on Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy to Treat Traumatic Brain Injury and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (GAO-16-154). Such report shall include the assessment of the Comptroller General of clinical trials conducted, since the publication of such report—

(1)

regarding the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy to treat traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder; and

(2)

by—

(A)

the Secretary of Veterans Affairs;

(B)

the Secretary of Defense; and

(C)

private entities.

(b) Follow-up study

(1) In general

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall conduct a systematic review of published research literature on the off-label use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy to treat post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury among veterans and nonveterans.

(2) Elements

The review conducted under paragraph (1) shall include the following:

(A)

An analysis of available research literature published after the review completed pursuant to section 702 of the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act ( Public Law 116–171 );

(B)

An assessment of the current parameters for research on the use by the Department of Veterans Affairs of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, including—

(i)

tests and questionnaires used to determine the efficacy of such therapy; and

(ii)

metrics for determining the success of such therapy.

(C)

A comparative analysis of tests and questionnaires used to study post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury in other research conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs, other Federal agencies, and entities outside the Federal Government.

(D)

A market assessment of available hyperbaric oxygen therapy facilities or units within facilities to assess the most effective locations and practices, including—

(i)

an analysis of whether multi-person chambers could reduce per-veteran costs;

(ii)

an analysis of areas with lower prices compared to a national average; and

(iii)

an identification of not fewer than two VISNs in which the provision or furnishing of hyperbaric oxygen therapy would benefit the most number of veterans at the lowest cost to the Department.