Bill Overview
Title: TBI and PTSD Treatment Act
Description: This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to furnish hyperbaric oxygen therapy through a provider authorized by the Veterans Community Care Program to veterans who have a traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder.
Sponsors: Rep. Biggs, Andy [R-AZ-5]
Target Audience
Population: Veterans with traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder
Estimated Size: 5200000
- Many veterans suffer from traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Traumatic brain injuries can result from various causes, including combat situations, accidents, and sports injuries, which are prevalent among military personnel and veterans.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder commonly affects those who have experienced traumatic events, including many who have served in military operations.
- The bill specifies veterans, and these are individuals who have served in the military.
- According to statistics, the population of veterans in the US is over 19 million.
Reasoning
- The policy targets veterans with TBI and PTSD, intending to provide them access to hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).
- The budget indicates that a substantial but limited number of veterans can be served, given the high cost associated with medical treatments.
- Interviews should include a mix of affected veterans, unaffect veterans (to evaluate broader systemic impacts), and healthcare providers.
- Cost considerations imply that not every veteran with TBI or PTSD will be able to access HBOT, due to the limited budget and possibly narrow eligibility criteria.
- The number of veterans and their distribution across geographies imply varying degrees of policy impact, with potential concentration around military-heavy regions.
- Long-term benefits may not manifest immediately; hence, evaluations should consider extended durations.
- Interviews should reflect diverse backgrounds and military contexts to ensure a rounded dataset.
Simulated Interviews
Veteran (San Diego, CA)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could be a game-changer for me, as I've struggled with these conditions for years.
- Access to hyperbaric oxygen therapy might finally give me some relief.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Veteran (Houston, TX)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Funds will be spread thin, I'm not sure if I'll get treatment.
- It's a step in the right direction, but implementation matters.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Mental Health Counselor (Seattle, WA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy can significantly improve treatment options available for my clients.
- It adds another tool to our therapeutic repertoire, potentially reaching veterans who haven't responded to traditional therapies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Veteran (Chicago, IL)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm glad to see resources being dedicated to those who need it.
- Having more covered treatment options will encourage more veterans to seek help.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Veteran Affairs Administrator (Miami, FL)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy's funding is promising, but we need to ensure veterans know about and can access the treatment.
- Coordination with treatment facilities will be crucial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Veteran (New York, NY)
Age: 43 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While it's great, I doubt I'll personally benefit from it given my mild symptoms.
- Efforts like this should be continuous.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Veteran (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's reassuring to see focus on alternative treatments.
- Hope to see more options for holistic recovery approaches.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Veteran (Fort Bragg, NC)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Finally seeing treatments I've only read about become accessible.
- Need to ensure it's not just a one-time effort.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Healthcare Researcher (Boston, MA)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Interest in observing the long-term outcomes of this policy.
- Hope for robust data collection to improve treatment protocols.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Veteran (Denver, CO)
Age: 64 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- At my age, treatment options have been quite limited.
- Seeing increased investment brings hope, though I'm skeptic of how soon it can help.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $624000000 (Low: $416000000, High: $832000000)
Year 2: $624000000 (Low: $416000000, High: $832000000)
Year 3: $624000000 (Low: $416000000, High: $832000000)
Year 5: $624000000 (Low: $416000000, High: $832000000)
Year 10: $624000000 (Low: $416000000, High: $832000000)
Year 100: $624000000 (Low: $416000000, High: $832000000)
Key Considerations
- The program could initially face logistical challenges in scaling hyperbaric oxygen therapy access across the veteran population.
- Potential resistance from stakeholders prioritizing other treatment modalities.
- Long-term evaluation of health outcomes will be necessary to validate cost-effectiveness.