Providing funding - Luttrell’s offers amendment for therapy

Special to the News-Times

WASHINGTON — Congressman Morgan Luttrell, R-Texas, offered an amendment to the Department of Defense Appropriations Act of 2024 that would provide funding for clinical trials on psychedelics as a modality to treat brain injuries sustained by service members and veterans while serving our country.

The amendment was adopted and passed in the House of Representatives with bipartisan support.

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“I am proud to see my colleagues on both sides of the aisle support my amendment to fund clinical research into emerging therapies to treat traumatic brain injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other combat-related injuries,” Luttrell said. “I can personally attest to the significant benefits of this treatment. It changed my life, and further research will give us the chance to save the lives of those that have bravely served our country and are in need. We must continue to explore all avenues and think outside of the box when the lives of our service members and veterans are at stake. I’m confident support for these innovative treatments will continue to gain momentum.”

The amendment will provide $15 million in funding for a psychedelic clinical trial authorized in the House version of the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act. These treatments are needed by our service members and veterans who are facing Traumatic Brain Injuries, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, major depressive disorder (MDD), treatment-resistant depression and other combat related injuries.

The amendment does not authorize use of these therapies outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense clinical research trials, nor does the amendment decriminalize, reschedule, or otherwise change the legal status of any of the substances researched pursuant to the amendment.