VA officials describe expanding somatic therapies and research into psychedelics for treatment‑resistant conditions
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Summary
VA witnesses told lawmakers the department is increasing access to somatic treatments such as ECT, TMS and ketamine, and has issued a request for applications to fund psychedelic research; VISN officials said efforts are underway to implement modalities across sites.
Department of Veterans Affairs witnesses told the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations that the agency is expanding access to somatic treatments and pursuing research into psychedelic therapies for treatment‑resistant mental health conditions.
Dr. Ilsa Weekers, Deputy Executive Director of the VHA Office of Mental Health, told lawmakers that VA has grown use of somatic treatments over the last several years and is working to expand access. “VA has been growing its use of, what we call the somatic treatments. So those are things like ECT, transcranial magnetic stimulation, ketamine infusions, and intranasal esketamine,” she said. Weekers added that VA had “announced an RFA for funding of psychedelic research” and that other studies — including stellate ganglion block and other emerging therapies — are ongoing.
Dr. Anthony Stazoni, Chief Medical Officer for VISN 9, told the committee that VISN 9 is trying to implement “all 3 modalities of treatment, ECT, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and ketamine infusion at all of our sites” to ensure veterans have access to evidence‑based options for treatment‑resistant depression.
VA and OIG witnesses agreed on the department's research history and its continuing role in developing and testing new interventions. “Nobody does mental health care like VA. They are absolutely pioneers in this field,” said the OIG representative, who described ongoing and future oversight work.
Discussion versus decision: Witnesses described current and planned research and service expansions; no new treatment approvals or funding allocations were adopted by the committee at the hearing. Members encouraged accelerated evaluation and deployment of evidence‑based options to meet veterans where they are.
Ending: Lawmakers and VA witnesses indicated interest in continuing collaboration on research and in monitoring outcomes as VA expands access to somatic and novel therapies.