Major Breakthrough In Congress Today Advancing Hyperbaric Oxygen for Veterans

Dear Friends,

One of the most important therapies we use for both stroke recovery and Parkinsons is hyperbaric oxygen therapy. It is an amazing, simple, pain free therapy that can help our bodies recover and stay healthy. Below please find a very important message from Congress regarding the latest development in bringing HBOT to our veterans, and eventually all of us.

Please share this with your friends, you never know who you may help.

Wishing you the very best,

Destiny

Sessions Advances Leading-Edge Therapy

for Injured Veterans and Service Members

Washington, DC - Today, the House of Representatives unanimously passed
legislation authored by Congressman Pete Sessions (TX-32) to recognize
and report the results and planned expansion of Hyperbaric Oxygen
Therapy in Veterans Affairs medical facilities.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) uses a chamber to administer oxygen in
prescribed dosages for a variety of external and internal injuries. The
oxygen acts as a catalyst in healing wounds that often fail to respond
to other medical and surgical practices and that lack the blood
circulation and blood-oxygen levels necessary to heal.

The Federal Drug Administration has already approved the use of HBOT for
thirteen medical conditions, including non-healing diabetic foot wounds,
crush injuries, exceptional blood loss, and tissue transfer for complex
wound reconstruction. Under military and VA medical care, HBOT has saved
injured service members or veterans from expensive, painful,
life-altering, and potentially life-threatening amputation of an arm,
leg, hand or foot.

"Thousands of our brave servicemen and women are returning from combat
with severe limb injuries, Traumatic Brain Injuries and Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorders, resulting in an inability to hold a job, properly care
for their families, or, in some cases, overcome suicidal tendencies,"
stated Sessions. "As a nation, we have the responsibility for their
care and recovery, and I am particularly encouraged with the potential
of expanding hyperbaric therapy to treat brain-injured solders suffering
from TBI and PTSD."

Since 2006, Sessions has been actively engaged in researching a new
cross-application of hyperbaric therapy to an increasingly- common and
life-threatening non-healing wound: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
Currently, veterans suffering from TBI are receiving hyperbaric therapy
from only private physicians, and evidence from numerous cases show
substantial progress in brain function after treatment. Sessions has
met with physicians, scientists, the Department of Defense, the
Department of Veterans Affairs, and service members regarding the
potential of expanding hyperbaric therapy for TBI and PTSD in military
and VA medical facilities.

As an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2010 Military Construction and
Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, Sessions' legislation requires the
VA to submit a report to Congress detailing the current and planned use
of the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in VA medical facilities, including the
number of veterans and types of conditions being treated with HBOT,
their respective success rates, and the current inventory of hyperbaric
chambers.

"My report amendment is the first step toward expanding the use of
hyperbaric therapy in military and VA medical facilities," said
Sessions. "By knowing how it is used today, we will have a greater
understanding of how best to assist our injured service members and
veterans tomorrow. I remain committed to working with military and
health professionals to ensure that our injured soldiers receive the
best care possible to improve quality of life and return to active duty,
employment, family life, or school."

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Emily Davis | Communications Director

Congressman Pete Sessions (TX-32)

W: 202.226.4905 | C: 202.701.8822

emily.davis@ mail.house. gov | sessions.house. gov