[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6286190,"mediaKeyId","2563906-4cb0c2daee224d23ce7545a9300750e4","parentId",2563906,"title","Advocates push VA to classify athletic prosthetics as medically necessary for amputee veterans","audioSeconds",5438,"startMs",647000,"endMs",6085000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2563906-4cb0c2daee224d23ce7545a9300750e4&start=647&end=6085","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2563906-4cb0c2daee224d23ce7545a9300750e4/thumbnail_647000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6286190/Advocates-push-VA-to-classify-athletic-prosthetics-as-medically-necessary-for-amputee-veterans","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286190-c8fa84c3b824d5df1dfdc0f68184fdcb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140977&Signature=TFjlSDFOJ9T3utoGcNe8LFjgvv8-AI63ugO6b1-9UT1H4e-6BJNZNNqbboeiq4ClHym5z0GYQy~MjvB2db405FTVX4Jj5~RCFuVY54cCgYQ6y8YH8pZ7SxMGt2ePTKqiztWBoq-G3r5RjURG-igI9yEoDjZDxWsGpz3TLJnBwIjBXpfLnAAJUd0UERipvI9fYPrfsuUXMAQAhYqUW0yiD9Ho2yrCE5HI~T-eE7HLaA65z4ghzPjy4FaRAplqkKr6vWCosyMIbXOIijRR7tnGFjqe-Friq5hXbp7V3-fgCeCywg7USUsWwPU6J0Z0KJVyx2wN6uUzz3dV6R1YgenMWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","U.S. House Committee on Veterans' Affairs","date","2025-03-12T08:56:46Z","article","Lawmakers and veterans' groups urged the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health to amend VA policy so adaptive and sports prosthetics are treated as medically necessary prosthetic devices for eligible veterans.

Representatives and witnesses described the rehabilitative, social and mental‑health benefits of sports‑oriented prosthetic devices, such as running blades or swimming attachments. John Retzer of the Disabled American Veterans told the committee that adaptive sports and prosthetics help veterans \"improve their physical and mental health by overcoming limitations and challenge their perceived disabilities.\"

The nut graf: proponents said current VA practice can require enrollment in an active rehabilitation program before adaptive prosthetics are provided; the proposed SPORT Act would clarify that sports and recreational terminal devices are within VA's prosthetic benefit, removing unnecessary administrative barriers. Wounded Warrior Project and DAV endorsed the change.

VA staff testified they support efforts to ensure veterans have access to appropriate prosthetics and acknowledged prosthetics and rehabilitation teams are critical, but the hearing did not produce a formal VA objection or a final vote.

Ending: The committee heard bipartisan support from veterans' organizations and members to ease access to adaptive prosthetics for post‑9/11 and other amputee veterans; the bill seeks to make recreational prosthetics more consistently available as part of VA's medical services.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Subcommittee on Health Legislative Hearing","oneSentenceSummary","Veterans' organizations and lawmakers told the subcommittee that adaptive prosthetics used for sports and recreation should be treated as medically necessary prosthetic services to support rehabilitation, community reintegration and mental health; VA generally supports the intent.","taxTitle","Veterans Affairs: House Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation, Legislative, Federal","taxId",1825,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6286195,"States and advocates press VA to reimburse high‑cost drugs for veterans in state homes",247,5751000,5998000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2563906-4cb0c2daee224d23ce7545a9300750e4&start=5751&end=5998","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2563906-4cb0c2daee224d23ce7545a9300750e4/thumbnail_5751000.jpg","/articles/6286195/States-and-advocates-press-VA-to-reimburse-highcost-drugs-for-veterans-in-state-homes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286195-8cdbfad761ea8e80d2d6f64531ea3289/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140977&Signature=GkkvSlERuMuMWKY2XV12WUJhhjuKkKrWmk0WajqWrj5E7AuT0UimbPVGV2l0~RC4mJ91rYXFni20gWmEiI-sAI9RiqHdJRgw7ygt5iQkNKRMKUD7mHFwhEap8W7tD~zZUIIAje7NRcERK4RxDoLitnP9DwsyapYyKmnJ3Sii~9zCH7oTk5QWWPwmhWX7w22GRcYhyo78fWSRna-LrAr0OWNmIVHR6-xygaEqxaAy1HXQM-9VYejM2q2vopvxJ-5F6uCX9GDtnJRqCSmtpYMcoDP7RCSb-vvGvXQPw3sPNgZ0ujp8d5e2ml2C5-FN82XNB7RHAfA-kyWbcRxCapHc0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","State veterans homes, associations and committee witnesses told the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health that a reimbursement disparity prevents many state homes from admitting veterans who require very high‑cost medications.

Ed Harries, president of the National Association of State Veterans Homes, described multiple cases in which state homes could not be reimbursed under current VA policy for expensive oncology and specialty medications that private nursing homes can obtain reimbursement for when under VA contract. \"This legislation would require VA to furnish and reimburse state veterans homes these high cost medications, just like they are doing for the private homes,\" Harries said, arguing the change would let veterans choose state homes without forcing the homes to carry significant operating losses.

The nut graf: witnesses provided concrete examples. Harries described an Iowa veteran with Crohn's disease whose medication costs about $20,000 per month and an Idaho veteran taking a drug that costs roughly $16,000 per month; both homes reportedly provided care at a substantial loss or were constrained from admitting veterans who need such therapies. In one Wisconsin example, a state home was told by VA it could not accept donated or patient‑assistance program medications and was advised to dispose of sealed, ship‑to‑home chemotherapy instead of administering it.

VA witnesses said they were open to discussions but did not support the Providing Veterans Essential Medications Act as drafted, noting statutory or administrative constraints and expressing a desire to discuss implementation details with the committee.

Ending: Witnesses urged Congress to correct the reimbursement inequity to ensure veterans can reside in state veterans homes regardless of medication cost; the committee heard specifics and requested further engagement with VA on implementation mechanics.","State veterans homes and associations testified that current VA rules prevent reimbursement for high‑cost medications administered in state veterans homes, forcing some homes to absorb costs or deny placement; witnesses urged passage of the Providing Veterans Essential Medications Act to align reimbursement with private nursing homes.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6286200,"Committee hears bipartisan support for reauthorizing Fox Grama suicide‑prevention grants",2474,676000,3150000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2563906-4cb0c2daee224d23ce7545a9300750e4&start=676&end=3150","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2563906-4cb0c2daee224d23ce7545a9300750e4/thumbnail_676000.jpg","/articles/6286200/Committee-hears-bipartisan-support-for-reauthorizing-Fox-Grama-suicideprevention-grants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286200-01c806d2c4496abad6d44eaccb661876/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140977&Signature=fMMVlvzgUQOJc3z3I0of9JqKKBbIvShk5FQYFRAwsCkc32vh713wAZLh3lDabkzzKESgu9DqX1lOsYA3Pg6DR1kWv1hiyK-lf3Sbi0ze70bh2ATlX3FYNnx1dUwMPyl7C4TeUWAqc8~QoWqquweC6CroAY1s76iQjJTIMS~9GBUEIJMG4JfItU7wJpDF2KTXglkKulG9hQ7Ehtlwf4czhfe65UhVCseRCxYa~f7SRmPZbyvilDkVCNyNyLul8YmHqs75D1DEgcVliMPgAej2HtX-0MZjjEdLtIkzNjey2Wngp5vA-RtqTTt9Zy5Asf6-EV0rh-01ri8wfewmn1VaBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lawmakers and veteran service organizations urged reauthorization and refinement of the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program—commonly called Fox Grama—during a House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health legislative hearing.

Representative Don Bacon and multiple witnesses said the community‑based grant program expands access to suicide prevention services for veterans who are not enrolled in VA care. Wounded Warrior Project and DAV supported the No Wrong Door for Veterans Act, which would reauthorize and amend the Fox Grama pilot. \"Evidence based mental health treatment absolutely works when available and when pursued, but the best results will be found by incorporating a public health approach,\" Brian Dempsey of Wounded Warrior Project testified.

VA described areas of alignment and concern. Doctor Thomas O'Toole said the department \"strongly supports the intent\" of the reauthorization and several amendments—particularly extending the program through fiscal year 2028 and requiring grantees to inform individuals about emergency suicide care—but expressed concerns about a proposed payment structure and the logistics of a revised funding cap. VA also objected to a specific $500,000 cap and an additional $10,000 per‑veteran payment as drafted, saying those provisions could be difficult to administer within federal grant systems.

Members asked about distribution to remote areas and community‑based organizations with limited grant capacity; VA said it would provide more detailed responses on record and noted monitoring of grantees is central to ensuring reach. Several members stressed the importance of peer support and lockbox distribution programs as complementary suicide prevention tools.

Ending: The committee heard bipartisan support for extending Fox Grama with technical fixes; the VA recommended collaborative drafting to resolve grant‑management and funding‑mechanism concerns before finalizing text.","Members and witnesses urged reauthorization and technical fixes for the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program (Fox Grama) and discussed operational challenges in grant administration; VA broadly supports intent but flagged certain grant‑management concerns.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6286205,"Debate over hyperbaric oxygen therapy for TBI and PTSD surfaces as VA urges caution",4076,1444000,5520000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2563906-4cb0c2daee224d23ce7545a9300750e4&start=1444&end=5520","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2563906-4cb0c2daee224d23ce7545a9300750e4/thumbnail_1444000.jpg","/articles/6286205/Debate-over-hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy-for-TBI-and-PTSD-surfaces-as-VA-urges-caution","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286205-1db8a7d2388ee8364b0eff1ca8fd29c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140977&Signature=ciWiYw0VJF~3aWm2jp862axwkq2C24TAPGfNmipBUJKgXEUin~pv63Y6ls1vCW6v7OzGDDuWFdsPVd~WOLltFTVp~ZiMyYoV60x9yepCQMUfA9U7bKvS7vxPbccMz2-tbNxqjLjHgKKNvcPiGwnNrzbk4kB-uqpcCD7IL0Jwv6Qg-KSkiZq5QyhNi20dGMbM3ClYi-YRe0uOemnOFEPgk7Jpl1pN2K5OLkkim21aAaw~SbHUzkyiw-B4~t~TrOJEJ8qrR7a45OblELwn~Tdao3~rjEAfZyel4qcdzLZtd1Ke3cyBxUFaHqxNZOo6fmqucxB1i90oCqB5ptxikFcZfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Supporters of HR 1336, the Veterans National Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment Act, told the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health they want a five‑year pilot to provide hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to veterans with persistent TBI and PTSD symptoms.

\"This is not only a viable, but a very, very successful intervention,\" Representative Tim Murphy said in opening remarks, referencing NIH meta‑analyses and veteran advocates. Emergency physician and hyperbaric specialist Dr. Andrew Kosminski, who testified for proponents, described clinical studies that showed neuropsychiatric improvements and said safety protocols are well established at accredited centers. \"Establishing a pilot program for the VA to offer HBO therapy for veterans with TBIs and PTSD could help improve these patients' quality of life,\" Kosminski testified.

The nut graf: VA officials and VA‑affiliated experts warned the committee the agency's scientific review does not currently support HBOT for TBI or PTSD. Doctor Thomas O'Toole, VA deputy assistant undersecretary, told the committee the department \"does not support this bill due to the lack of scientific evidence supporting HBOT for these conditions\" and raised concerns about the proposed funding mechanism.

Committee members and witnesses debated the evidence base and safety oversight. Opponents pointed to VA and Department of Defense reviews that found HBOT outcomes comparable to placebo, while proponents cited more recent randomized trials and ongoing NIH research, including larger trials showing sustained benefit at six months and extended‑treatment cohorts with greater improvement. Kosminski acknowledged oxygen‑toxicity seizure risk in TBI patients at about 1 in 50 but said accredited hyperbaric centers are trained to manage that complication.

Several members urged adding patient safety guardrails to any pilot. Representative Brownlee asked whether the pilot should require treatment at facilities accredited by the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society; Dr. Kosminski agreed accreditation would improve patient safety. VA witnesses said they would provide alternatives and comparative research summaries and that current VA and DOD guidance does not recommend HBOT as standard care for TBI or PTSD.

Ending: The committee did not vote on HR 1336. Members signaled interest in further research and in building explicit safety and accreditation requirements into any pilot authorization.","Lawmakers backed a pilot to test hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and PTSD, citing recent studies and patient demand; Department of Veterans Affairs witnesses said the evidence remains insufficient and raised safety and funding concerns.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6286210,"Lawmakers, Omaha partners push to make Chip In public‑private VA building pilot permanent",2282,2513000,4795000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2563906-4cb0c2daee224d23ce7545a9300750e4&start=2513&end=4795","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2563906-4cb0c2daee224d23ce7545a9300750e4/thumbnail_2513000.jpg","/articles/6286210/Lawmakers-Omaha-partners-push-to-make-Chip-In-publicprivate-VA-building-pilot-permanent","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286210-5ad8ffd634965e9b8d2ad1b8e44e3eaf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140977&Signature=HQTYu0xOQRkqTjVABUrJsHCyBMr7FZUhNNqXvzyPuAaSnv2fICOL6-5x7KcBfbSLe1uMJKCMTHuDvbYwkfiA2~HFKyLpNvZCvW5aBR~l1fNv7iC9GODKdoYcEX6QwtIoFdiMtr1v~zV~yxGwFUG51h3jQ14c-k-tLB8KutN0nu-x2jpE4Sh609eHQdZE0mJdNwHpRUyExktUKTb0YkHj7SUn5vNXyOBeRBNpdUSYcd97eWbAOG~mQgD1vW4VxDpDdIYQ-Cz3L~6wmxbREVj3ClQXb81KjsBGXnNpk4qBr4l6QmtsNolRo31g-q8xJ6KwfIsGjjXSM2AoAv0FCNC5Pw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Supporters of HR 217 told the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health on the record that making the CHIP In for Veterans pilot permanent would enable more communities to partner with the Department of Veterans Affairs to deliver cost‑efficient VA facilities.

The bill would make permanent the authority that allowed local public, philanthropic and private entities to finance, develop and donate VA health care facilities; Representative Don Bacon and witnesses told the committee the Omaha ambulatory care center is a model. \"That is why this bill is so so important,\" Representative Bacon said, noting community, state and philanthropic contributions reduced the VA's cost for the ambulatory project.

The nut graff: proponents said the pilot yielded faster delivery and sizable taxpayer savings. Doctor Jeffrey Gold, president of the University of Nebraska Medical Center, described a project that replaced an aging VA outpatient facility using private financing, philanthropic support and VA operations, and said the partnership produced a facility built on schedule and under the federal cost estimate. \"This opportunity led to remarkable improvement in care for local veterans in our community,\" Gold said.

In committee testimony and questions, witnesses and members described the mechanics and savings. Representative Bacon said the VA originally budgeted $135 million for the Omaha ambulatory project but the community‑led effort completed it for about $85 million. Sue Morris, president and CEO of Veterans Trust, testified the philanthropic contribution was $30 million, that Veterans Trust owned the project during development and donated the facility to VA at completion, and that value engineering and a careful review of VA construction and security standards yielded approximately $23 million in savings.

VA officials expressed conditional support. Doctor Thomas O'Toole, VA Deputy Assistant Undersecretary for Health for Quality and Field Operations, told the committee the department \"supports this bill\" and noted two pilot projects have been undertaken under existing authority, one completed in Omaha and another hospital under construction in Oklahoma.

Supporters recommended several technical changes to broaden the tool's flexibility: allow construction on leased land, permit use for minor construction, and authorize non‑health projects such as veteran housing or community centers. Sue Morris suggested the committee convene a small working group of VA and private‑sector participants to recommend best practices.

Ending: Committee members pressed for safeguards and for clarity about the scope and replicability of the model. No formal action or vote occurred at the hearing; proponents asked members to advance HR 217 to make the pilot permanent and to incorporate the suggested refinements.","Supporters told the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health that the CHIP In for Veterans Act (HR 217) would institutionalize the public‑private partnership model used to build the Omaha VA ambulatory care center, arguing it saved federal dollars and accelerated delivery; VA officials say they support the bill.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Advocates push VA to classify athletic prosthetics as medically necessary for amputee veterans

States and advocates press VA to reimburse high‑cost drugs for veterans in state homes

Committee hears bipartisan support for reauthorizing Fox Grama suicide‑prevention grants

Debate over hyperbaric oxygen therapy for TBI and PTSD surfaces as VA urges caution

Lawmakers, Omaha partners push to make Chip In public‑private VA building pilot permanent