Luttrell Leads Letter Regarding Implementation for Psychedelic Therapies

WASHINGTON – Congressman Morgan Luttrell (R-TX) and Congressman Morgan McGarvey (D-KY) led a letter to Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Health Shereef Elnahal requesting the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to produce a strategic plan to implement psychedelic MDMA therapy in-house for veterans should it be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“The effects of emerging therapies for our veterans have been groundbreaking, and I’m proud to be a leader on pushing forward this innovative tool into the proverbial toolbox, especially while moving away from opioids,” said Congressman Luttrell. “As the FDA is finally playing ball to move towards approving these therapies, it’s critical we ensure the VA has an implementation plan and can effectively and efficiently treat veterans.”

“VA is the leader in mental health care for veterans, and its providers’ specialized knowledge in treating issues such as combat trauma and military sexual trauma is unmatched by any other healthcare system in this country,” said Rep. Morgan McGarvey. “We want to be prepared to support the VA in leading the nation through expanded research and clinical implementation of this novel care model, ensuring veterans receive access to the highest quality mental health care available.”

You can read the letter in full here.

Congressman Luttrell recently applauded the Department of Veterans Affairs’ decision to request applications for proposals to research the use of psychedelic therapies to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and other combat-related injuries. Additionally, Luttrell had provisions to fund and authorize clinical research into emerging therapies to treat combat-related injuries included in the FY24 NDAA and has personal experience with psychedelic therapies to treat a TBI.