WASHINGTON — Representative Ronny Jackson (TX-13) celebrated the passage of his Blast Overpressure Research and Mitigation Task Force Act by the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs during its recent markup focused on delivering real solutions for America’s veterans and military families.

The bill now advances for further consideration in the House of Representatives.

“The successful passage of this bill through committee is an important step toward ensuring our servicemembers and veterans receive the care they deserve,” said Rep. Jackson. “Under Chairman Mike Bost’s leadership, Republicans are focused on delivering real results for America’s heroes. My bill ensures our government is finally taking a unified approach to protecting brain health, improving treatment, and delivering better long-term outcomes for the men and women who have sacrificed for our country, especially our Special Operations Forces.” 

Specifically, this legislation would:

• Align the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of War’s research agendas and acquisition strategies focused on mitigating blast overpressure and its long-term effects,

• Establish physiological and cognitive performance baselines for active-duty servicemembers and veterans,

• Prioritize translational research into sleep therapy, blast-related gut health issues, mobile diagnostics, and neurological recovery,

• Monitor sensory decline, including vision, hearing, vestibular function, and stress-related impairments,

• Improve continuity of care by integrating diagnostic tools and data-sharing between the Defense Health Agency and Veterans Health Administration, and

• Provide annual reports to Congress detailing research progress, clinical advancements, coordination outcomes, recommendations, and best practices.

Full bill text can be found here and additional information can be found here.

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