This bill would establish a dedicated Office of Novel Therapeutics within the VA and ensure the department is prepared to safely evaluate and implement emerging therapies by establishing centralized governance, workforce readiness planning, and clinical implementation infrastructure within the Veterans Health Administration.
Establish a dedicated Office of Novel Therapeutics within the Department of Veterans Affairs to increase veterans' access to innovative health care and ensure preparedness for implementing emerging mental health therapies.
Occurrences
To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish within the Veterans Health Administration an Office of Novel Therapeutics, and for other purposes.
Senators Gallego, Sheehy, Duckworth, and Boozman introduced the bipartisan Veterans Health Administration Novel Therapeutics Preparedness Act to establish an Office of Novel Therapeutics within the VA, ensuring the department is prepared to evaluate and implement emerging mental health therapies.
Evidence
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On March 27, 2026, Senator Tim Sheehy introduced the bipartisan Veterans Health Administration Novel Therapeutics Preparedness Act to establish a dedicated Office of Novel Therapeutics within the Department of Veterans Affairs. This office aims to increase veterans' access to innovative health care and ensure preparedness for implementing emerging mental health therapies.
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The Veterans Health Administration Novel Therapeutics Preparedness Act, introduced as S. 4220, was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs on March 26, 2026.
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The Veterans Health Administration Novel Therapeutics Preparedness Act, introduced by Senator Sheehy and co-sponsored by Senators Gallego, Duckworth, and Boozman, aims to establish an Office of Novel Therapeutics within the VA to oversee and implement emerging therapies, including psychedelic treatments for mental health conditions.
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Senators Gallego, Sheehy, Duckworth, and Boozman introduced the bipartisan Veterans Health Administration Novel Therapeutics Preparedness Act to establish an Office of Novel Therapeutics within the VA, ensuring the department is prepared to evaluate and implement emerging mental health therapies.
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The Veterans Health Administration Novel Therapeutics Preparedness Act directs the VA to prepare for emerging therapies by establishing an Office of Novel Therapeutics, aiming to integrate these treatments into the VA healthcare system.
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The Senate office’s legislation page still listed S.4220, the Veterans Health Administration Novel Therapeutics Preparedness Act, with the latest action: "Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held."
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The Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearing agenda for April 29, 2026 included "S.4220, the VHA Novel Therapeutics Preparedness Act (Sheehy)."
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GovInfo's Congressional Record Index entry for S. 4220 was updated on June 2, 2026 and still lists the Veterans Health Administration Novel Therapeutics Preparedness Act, but the entry does not show enactment or establishment of the promised VA office.
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VA announced a new MDMA-assisted mental health therapy trial and said it is involved in other psychedelic-therapy trials, but the release does not announce an Office of Novel Therapeutics within VHA.
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The page's updated bill information detail on June 5, 2026 still listed S.4220, the Veterans Health Administration Novel Therapeutics Preparedness Act, and its latest action remained 'Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.' The page did not show enactment or VA implementation of an Office of Novel Therapeutics.
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S. 4220 was introduced by Sen. Sheehy, read twice, and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Its full title says it would establish within the Veterans Health Administration an Office of Novel Therapeutics.
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The Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing agenda listed S. 4220, the VHA Novel Therapeutics Preparedness Act (Sheehy), showing the bill received a committee hearing.
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Sheehy's legislation page listed S. 4220 with latest action: 'Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.'
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GovInfo's Congressional Record Index entry for S. 4220 remained indexed in June 2026, but the page does not show enactment or VA implementation of the promised office.
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08-18-2026 | S.4220 | Veterans Health Administration Novel Therapeutics Preparedness Act Latest Action: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
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Mr. Sheehy (for himself, Mr. Gallego, Ms. Duckworth, and Mr. Boozman) introduced the following bill
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VA does not believe a new office is needed to carry out the duties and requirements outlined in this bill.
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shall designate a senior official of the Department to oversee policy, programs, and other activities related to emerging therapeutic interventions.
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Bill Version Engrossed in House (EH)
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The largest veterans organization in the U.S. is calling on Congress to pass a bill
Assessments
Sheehy materially advanced the promise by introducing the bipartisan Veterans Health Administration Novel Therapeutics Preparedness Act, S. 4220, on March 26-27, 2026, and the bill received a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing on April 29, 2026. That is a serious legislative attempt directly aimed at creating the promised Office of Novel Therapeutics within the VA. But the available official status through early June 2026 still showed only committee consideration and hearings, with no enactment and no evidence that the VA had actually established the office. Under the scoring rule for a serious but unsuccessful attempt, this counts as not delivered rather than partial delivery.
Sheehy took a serious same-term legislative step by introducing S. 4220, the Veterans Health Administration Novel Therapeutics Preparedness Act, and the bill received a Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearing. But the promised outcome was the actual establishment of a dedicated Office of Novel Therapeutics within the VA, and the evidence shows no enactment or VA implementation as of the latest updates; the bill remained at the committee-hearing stage. Under the stated rule, a substantial legislative attempt that did not achieve the promised outcome counts as never, with effort credit.
Senator Sheehy introduced S. 4220 to create the Office of Novel Therapeutics, and the bill received committee hearings, which counts as substantial effort. But the evidence does not show enactment, VA implementation, or creation of the office as of the latest records, so the promised outcome was not delivered.
Sheehy introduced S.4220, the Veterans Health Administration Novel Therapeutics Preparedness Act, in March 2026 and the bill received Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing activity in April 2026. That is a serious same-term legislative effort directly matching the promised Office of Novel Therapeutics. However, the evidence shows only introduction, referral, and hearings, with no enactment, VA implementation, or actual establishment of the office. Because the promised outcome has not been delivered, this should be scored as never with an effort badge rather than delivered or partial.
Senator Sheehy introduced and championed the Veterans Health Administration Novel Therapeutics Preparedness Act, which would establish a dedicated Office of Novel Therapeutics within the VA. The bill was introduced, co-sponsored, and referred to committee, showing real legislative effort. However, the evidence shows only introduction and referral, with no confirmation of enactment or implementation of the promised office within the relevant term. Therefore, while effort is clear, the promise was not delivered.