This afternoon the House of Representatives unanimously passed legislation I authored 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. 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 I have 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. I have 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 my 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. 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.
The Pete Sessions Leadership and Growth Program
Each summer I host a Leadership and Growth Program in Washington DC during the months of May and June. Students at the high school and college levels participate and are given the unique opportunity for a comprehensive experience of our nations capital.
First held in 2001 my summer program is about engaging young minds for readiness to consider challenge and thoughtfully articulate the public policy debates facing our government as they develop their leadership skills for service in the future. Students have an opportunity to see Washington firsthand by observing House Committee hearings attending program forums with government officials and Washington leaders and touring different historical sites memorials and monuments around the city.
Some of the events from the program sessions included educational tours of the Pentagon the White House the National Portrait Gallery and the Newseum. Students engaged in a wide range of activities from visiting the Canadian Embassy to the Holocaust Museum. They were also able to interact with other Members of Congress including Congressman Joe Barton Congressman John Culberson Congresswoman Kay Granger Congressman Lamar Smith Congressman Louie Gohmert and Congressman Randy Neugebauer.
I value the opportunity to welcome students from my district each year and to discover their perspectives and aspirations. For this summer I was pleased to have over 110 students representing 23 North Texas schools participate in the program.
Students who are interested in participating in the Pete Sessions Leadership and Growth Program next summer may contact my Washington DC office at 202.225.2231 or email my program manager Torrie Miller at Torrie.Miller@mail.house.gov.
Reminder: Identity Theft Prevention Forum
As a final reminder this Wednesday July 15 my Dallas office will host an identity theft prevention forum from 6:00pm 7:30pm at the Fretz Park Library 6990 Belt Line Road Dallas Texas 75254. This event is open to the public and will feature expert advice from Dallas Police Detective Michael Dana retired FBI Agent David Leopard and U.S. Census Bureau representative Jerome Garza. To RSVP or to obtain more information please contact Ori Raphael of my Dallas District Office at 972.392.0505 or at ori.raphael@mail.house.gov.
This afternoon the House of Representatives unanimously passed legislation I authored 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. 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 I have 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. I have 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 my 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. 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.
The Pete Sessions Leadership and Growth Program
Each summer I host a Leadership and Growth Program in Washington DC during the months of May and June. Students at the high school and college levels participate and are given the unique opportunity for a comprehensive experience of our nations capital.
First held in 2001 my summer program is about engaging young minds for readiness to consider challenge and thoughtfully articulate the public policy debates facing our government as they develop their leadership skills for service in the future. Students have an opportunity to see Washington firsthand by observing House Committee hearings attending program forums with government officials and Washington leaders and touring different historical sites memorials and monuments around the city.
Some of the events from the program sessions included educational tours of the Pentagon the White House the National Portrait Gallery and the Newseum. Students engaged in a wide range of activities from visiting the Canadian Embassy to the Holocaust Museum. They were also able to interact with other Members of Congress including Congressman Joe Barton Congressman John Culberson Congresswoman Kay Granger Congressman Lamar Smith Congressman Louie Gohmert and Congressman Randy Neugebauer.
I value the opportunity to welcome students from my district each year and to discover their perspectives and aspirations. For this summer I was pleased to have over 110 students representing 23 North Texas schools participate in the program.
Students who are interested in participating in the Pete Sessions Leadership and Growth Program next summer may contact my Washington DC office at 202.225.2231 or email my program manager Torrie Miller at Torrie.Miller@mail.house.gov.
Reminder: Identity Theft Prevention Forum
As a final reminder this Wednesday July 15 my Dallas office will host an identity theft prevention forum from 6:00pm 7:30pm at the Fretz Park Library 6990 Belt Line Road Dallas Texas 75254. This event is open to the public and will feature expert advice from Dallas Police Detective Michael Dana retired FBI Agent David Leopard and U.S. Census Bureau representative Jerome Garza. To RSVP or to obtain more information please contact Ori Raphael of my Dallas District Office at 972.392.0505 or at ori.raphael@mail.house.gov.
