The Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence Act ... 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, and psilocybin to treat anxiety, bipolar disorder, chronic pain, depression, Parkinson’s disease, PTSD, and substance use disorder in Veterans.
Support and advance legislation to create at least five VA-designated centers of excellence to study and conduct research on innovative therapies, including psychedelic substances such as MDMA, ibogaine, ketamine, and psilocybin, for the treatment of conditions like anxiety, bipolar disorder, chronic pain, depression, Parkinson's disease, PTSD, and substance use disorder in veterans.
Occurrences
S.3130 | Veterans TBI Adaptive Care Opportunities Nationwide Act of 2025 Latest Action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
The bill, introduced by Sens. Ruben Gallego, Sheehy and David McCormick, would establish specialized research and treatment centers within the Department of Veterans Affairs to study therapies for PTSD, traumatic brain injury, depression, substance use disorders, and chronic pain. The bill specifically names MDMA, psilocybin, ibogaine, ketamine, and 5-MeO-DMT as the compounds under study. It authorizes funding and requires internal data systems.
The legislation, SB 4031, would require VA to designate at least five of its medical facilities as centers for excellence that would be charged with researching the therapeutic potential of psychedelics for conditions such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance misuse. It also lists several psychedelics that the lawmakers want to see explored: MDMA, DMT, ibogaine, ketamine and psilocybin. ... “The Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence Act will ensure the VA keeps pace with the private sector by expanding access to cutting-edge treatments, like MDMA-assisted therapy, promoting ongoing research on veteran health outcomes, and closing gaps in treatment services for our veterans who need it most,” he said.
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.
"The Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence Act will ensure the VA keeps pace with the private sector by expanding access to cutting-edge treatments like MDMA-assisted therapy, promoting ongoing research on veteran health outcomes, and closing gaps in treatment services for our veterans who need it most."
Evidence
Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and David McCormick (R-PA) introduced the Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence Act of 2025, bipartisan legislation that would increase federally funded research on innovative therapies to treat Veterans experiencing conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance use disorder, and depression.
The 'Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence Act of 2025' sponsored by U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, would designate not fewer than five VA medical facilities that can offer these different therapeutic modalities.
The introduction of S.4031, the Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence Act, moves psychedelic research into a federal healthcare framework.
Bipartisan senators have introduced a bill to provide $30 million in funding annually to establish psychedelic-focused 'centers for excellence' at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities, where veterans could receive novel treatment involving substances like psilocybin, MDMA and ibogaine.
In late 2023, the VA announced its first investment in psychedelic research in more than 50 years, launching clinical trials of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD.
The Veterans Health Administration's (VHA) Office of Research Development (ORD) is funding research on psychedelic compounds in Veterans.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced that it will fund a study on Methylenedioxymethamphetamine-assisted, or MDMA-assisted, therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder and alcohol use disorder among Veterans.
Representatives Lou Correa (CA-46) and Jack Bergman (R-MI), Co-Chairs of the Psychedelics Advancing Therapies (PATH) Caucus, introduced the Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence Act of 2025, bipartisan legislation that would increase federally funded research on innovative therapies to treat Veterans experiencing conditions like, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance use disorder, and depression.
Assessments
Senator McCormick co-introduced and advanced bipartisan legislation—the Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence Act—explicitly designed to fulfill the promise of creating at least five VA-designated centers for research into innovative therapies, including psychedelics, for veterans. This legislative effort matches the claim's intent and specificity. However, the legislation has only been introduced and has not yet been enacted or resulted in the creation of the specified centers. Some progress regarding VA-funded research trials is noted, but the core deliverable (five VA centers) has not materialized within the evaluated term.
Senator McCormick co-introduced significant legislation (the Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence Act) to establish at least five VA-designated centers of excellence for research on innovative psychedelic therapies for veterans, as promised. This shows clear legislative effort and intent. However, all supporting evidence indicates that while the bill was introduced, there is no confirmation that it was enacted into law or that the actual centers have been established. Thus, the promise is partially fulfilled: meaningful progress, but not full delivery.