Bipartisan lawmakers today introduced legislation that would establish a network of VA-designated centers dedicated to researching psychedelic-assisted treatments for Veterans suffering from PTSD, substance use disorder, depression, and other conditions.
The Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence Act of 2025 was filed by Representatives Lou Correa (CA-46) and Jack Bergman (R-MI), Co-Chairs of the Psychedelics Advancing Therapies (PATH) Caucus. This is the first piece of stand-alone psychedelics-related legislation that’s been introduced by the PATH Caucus.
In December 2024, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced funding for a study on MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD and alcohol use disorder among Veterans. This is the first time the VA has funded research on psychedelics since the 1960s. The Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence Act builds on this funding announcement by creating dedicated centers to study the therapeutic uses of psychedelic substances to treat a variety of conditions.
“Today marks a monumental step forward in our fight for our Veterans who return home with invisible wounds,” Correa said. “We’ve spent years pushing the VA to explore breakthrough treatments like psychedelic-assisted therapies because too many of our men and women in uniform return home different than how they left. Now that the VA has heeded our call to make funding available to study these treatments, it’s past time they build dedicated centers to study the therapeutic uses of psychedelic substances that our Veterans have been asking for. Veterans deserve real solutions, not more of the same.”
“It is time for Congress and the VA to take real action in support of our Veterans suffering from the invisible wounds of war. Establishing VA centers of excellence to research psychedelic therapies will build on the years of work by myself, my friend Rep. Correa, and other Members advancing these promising solutions to our mental health epidemic. I’m proud to help introduce this critical piece of legislation,” Bergman said.
Specifically, the bill would:
- Create at least 5 innovative therapies centers of excellence that would be designated by the VA.
- Direct centers to conduct research on innovative therapies including MDMA, ibogaine, ketamine, psilocybin to treat anxiety, bipolar disorder, chronic pain, depression, Parkinson’s disease, PTSD, substance use disorder in Veterans.
- Require the VA to submit a report on findings and recommendations to improve the delivery of innovative therapies to Veterans.
In addition to Reps. Correa and Bergman, this legislation is co-sponsored by: Representatives Morgan Luttrell (R-TX), Ro Khanna (D-CA), and Dan Crenshaw (R-TX).
This legislation is also endorsed by: American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Veterans Mental Health Leadership Coalition, and Wounded Warrior Project.
“The Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence Act of 2025 meets the moment we find ourselves in when more and more veterans are looking for alternative ways to treat their wartime wounds. By investing in research and access to breakthrough therapies, this piece of legislation tells those who have sacrificed for our country that their voices are being heard and listened to,” Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America CEO Allison Jaslow said. “IAVA applauds the leadership of Representatives Bergman and Correa and urges Congress to take swift action to pass this bill that will help improve the lives of America’s veterans.”
“The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) supports the Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence Act of 2025. This legislation would allow VA to designate medical facilities for at least five innovative therapies centers of excellence to research the use of psychedelic substances to treat veterans experiencing conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance use disorder, and depression. Offering alternative treatments provides opportunities for potentially beneficial results that we believe deserve further consideration in the care of our nation’s veterans. We thank Representative Correa for introducing this bill, and look forward to it being passed into law,” said VFW National Legislative Associate Director Meggan Coleman.
“Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) is committed to improving veterans’ access to the highest quality, cutting-edge, and evidence-based treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other health challenges,” said Jose Ramos, Vice President of Government and Community Relations for WWP. “The Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence Act would help position the Department of Veterans as a community leader in education, clinical, and research activities focused on psychedelic-assisted therapies for conditions like PTSD, chronic pain, and substance use disorder. We are grateful for the vision and leadership of Representatives Lou Correa and Jack Bergman in introducing the bill and urge its swift passage through Congress.”
“Many veterans battling the effects of their service-connected injuries and illnesses have voiced frustration with the lack of access to promising alternative treatment options through the VA. By creating a network of research centers dedicated to determining the safety and efficacy of various psychedelic therapies, the Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence Act of 2025 gives hope to our nation’s heroes afflicted with PTSD, brain injuries and numerous other conditions that they may one day be able to access these potentially powerful treatments through the system charged with their care,” said Daniel Contreras, National Commander of Disabled American Veterans (DAV). “DAV proudly supports this legislation and thanks Rep. Correa and Rep. Bergman for their leadership on this issue.”
You can read the full text of the legislation HERE.
