Some Missouri military veterans use a therapy in which they breath pure oxygen to help with certain combat-related injuries. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves a pressurized chamber that could help to heal damaged tissue in the brain.
The state House of Representatives could debate a bill this week that would help veterans to access the therapy if they have post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injuries. State Rep. Chris Brown, R-Kansas City, is the bill sponsor.
“The beautiful thing about it is…this is non-narcotic,” Brown told Missourinet. “So many of our veterans who are struggling, their treatment involves narcotics. It’s not solving the problem – it’s just masking over the problem. So, this treatment is literally going to heal the brain organically and get people back on an even keel, where they work a job, take care of their family.”
The therapy has been around for many years. It is one that is used by athletes as part of their regular health routine. It is used to treat sick scuba divers and people with carbon monoxide poisoning, including firefighters and miners. The therapy can also help with diabetic wounds that are not healing correctly and Cyanide poisoning.
Brown said his legislation would create a fund to help cover the costs of the therapy for veterans.
“It’s the right thing to do for our veterans,” said Brown. “Relative to so many things we do in the state, I think it’s a pretty small ask. And if we can save some veterans lives through this…money well spent. If the state of Missouri cannot find anywhere between $3 million and $8 million to appropriate to a fund to help our veterans…I mean, if they’re coming back and they’re hurt internally…out of a $53 billion, $54 billion budget, then I think our priorities need to be re-examined.”
Potential health risks of using the therapy range from ear and sinus pain to temporary vision changes and in rare cases, a lung collapse.
During a House committee hearing on House Bill 262, no one spoke in opposition.
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