Sponsor
Scott Perry
Representative · R-PA
Representative · R-PA
The bill expands VA-covered access to an additional PTSD treatment (SGB) and standardizes guidance, trading potential symptom relief and greater access for veterans against increased VA costs and the risk of exposing some veterans to an invasive treatment with uncertain long-term benefits.
Veterans diagnosed with PTSD will have an additional treatment option—stellate ganglion block (SGB)—available through the VA, which may provide symptom relief for some patients.
Veterans and local health systems will have increased access because VA medical centers and authorized community providers may deliver SGB, expanding where care can be obtained.
Veterans and VA/DoD clinicians will benefit from clearer, standardized guidance because the VA/DoD PTSD Clinical Practice Guideline must be updated within 180 days to define clinical indicators and contraindications for SGB.
Veterans may be exposed to the risks of an invasive procedure (SGB) with uncertain long-term benefits for PTSD, potentially leading to harm or ineffective treatment for some patients.
Taxpayers and the VA health system may face higher costs because providing SGB through the VA will increase VA healthcare spending and could require reallocation of resources or additional appropriations.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires VA to furnish stellate ganglion block (SGB) as an available therapy for enrolled veterans diagnosed with PTSD and to update the PTSD clinical guideline to include SGB.
Official title: To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish stellate ganglion block to veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, and for other purposes.
Introduced May 12, 2026 by Scott Perry · Last progress May 12, 2026
Requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to offer stellate ganglion block (SGB) as a treatment option for veterans enrolled in VA health care who have been diagnosed with PTSD and who choose SGB after informed consent. The VA must update its clinical practice guideline for PTSD within 180 days to include SGB as an option, list clinical indicators and contraindications, and notify congressional veterans committees; the new authority becomes effective 180 days after enactment.