After months of tireless advocacy, collaboration, and overwhelming bipartisan support, we are proud to announce that Missouri House Bill 262 (HB 262) has officially made it to the Governor’s desk, pending signature.

If signed into law, HB 262 will create the “Veterans’ Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment and Recovery Act,” funding access to Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) for Veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) — wounds that are often invisible, but no less life-threatening.

This bill represents hope.
Hope for healing.
Hope for families who’ve been searching for answers.
Hope for Veterans who’ve exhausted every traditional option and are still struggling.

Again, Why This Matters
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy isn’t just another treatment — it’s a scientifically proven way to heal the brain at the root, not just manage symptoms.

Veterans who receive HBOT under peer-reviewed neurological protocols have shown:

• Dramatic reduction in PTSD and TBI symptoms
• Increased cognitive function and sleep
• Lower dependence on pharmaceuticals
• Significant decreases in suicidal ideation — and in many cases, full remission

This is why HBOT is often described as a catalyst for recovery — and why state legislation like HB 262 is so critical.

The Fight Isn't Over
While this milestone deserves celebration, the work is far from done. We must ensure:

• Governor Parson signs HB 262 into law
• Other states follow Missouri’s lead
• Veterans across the country have access to HBOT — regardless of zip code, income, or status

Help Our Heroes will continue connecting Veterans to "no-cost" HBOT treatment through our partners, and our recently launched HBOT Campaign is raising critical funds to support these efforts while we wait for long-term legislation to catch up.

🩵 You can help today: Donate to the HBOT Campaign

Our Final Thoughts
The path to healing invisible wounds isn’t easy — but it’s possible.
HB 262 is more than a bill. It’s a promise. A signal to every Veteran that their service, their life, and their recovery matter.
Let’s keep going. Let’s get this signed.
And then let’s keep fighting for every state, every Veteran, and every life that can still be saved.

Exciting news is unfolding for our nation's Veterans and families.
On April 24, 2025, Missouri’s House Bill 262 (HB 262) officially advanced out of Senate committee with a “Do Pass” recommendation, moving it one step closer to becoming law. HB 262 would establish the “Veterans’ Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment and Recovery Act,” providing funding for Veterans diagnosed with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) to receive Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) — a proven, healing treatment long overdue for broader accessibility.

This milestone comes at a pivotal time. Just this week, North Dakota became the 11th state to pass a resolution urging Congress to act and fund HBOT for Veterans suffering from TBI and PTSD. Their newly passed resolution boldly declares:​
"The Sixty-ninth Legislative Assembly urges Congress to provide veterans with medical coverage for hyperbaric oxygenation therapy."

North Dakota now joins a growing coalition of states — including Oklahoma, Texas, Indiana, Kentucky, Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, Maryland, Wyoming, and Virginia — all unified in calling for urgent federal change. Together, these states have appropriated over $30 million to fund HBOT treatments for Veterans, while nonprofit organizations and coalitions like TreatNOW, HBOT4Heroes, HBOT4KYVets, Help Our Heroes and many others, have helped over 12,500 Veterans nationwide through access to HBOT.

Why This Momentum Matters for Missouri...and Beyond North Dakota’s resolution isn’t just a victory for its own Veterans — it directly strengthens Missouri’s efforts and sends a resounding message to other states and federal leaders: America’s Veterans deserve better access to treatments that heal, not just manage symptoms.

As North Dakota's legislative findings highlight:

• TBI and PTSD continue to devastate our Veteran community.
• Traditional treatments often warehouse Veterans on dangerous medications, without healing underlying brain wounds.
• HBOT is a safe, scientifically validated therapy that restores brain function, reduces dependency on pharmaceuticals, and virtually eliminates suicidal ideation in many patients.

Missouri’s HB 262 builds on this undeniable truth. By funding HBOT treatments at neurological protocols proven effective through peer-reviewed studies, Missouri is poised to set a national example — not just calling for federal change but leading the way at the state level.

Every step forward — whether in Bismarck, Jefferson City, or beyond — brings us closer to a future where Veterans receive real healing, real hope, and real support.
The Time Is NowWith the Senate’s “Do Pass” vote, Missouri’s HB 262 is nearing the finish line — but our work isn't done yet. We must continue to raise our voices, educate our communities, and urge our lawmakers to do what’s right.
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As North Dakota's success shows, when states lead, lives are saved. Missouri has the opportunity to not only change lives, but to inspire action across the nation.

Help us keep the momentum going.

Because healing brain wounds shouldn't be a privilege — it should be a promise.

It is time to fight for those who’ve fought for us.
One of the most critical ways we’re doing that right now is by pushing for legislative support that can bring Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) to more Veterans who need it most. And we’re not doing it alone.

This week marked another pivotal step forward. A dedicated group of legislators, advocates, and HBOT champions came together in a powerful show of unity and purpose. Representative Ken Jamison, Representative Donna Barnes, Representative Dave Griffith, Representative Bill Irwin, and Representative Chris Brown all joined forces to witness firsthand the life-changing power of HBOT. Alongside them stood Dale Lutzen of TreatNow.org, David Diester—owner of the Hyperbaric Healing Institute—and our founder, Blake Richardson.

Together, this group toured Hyperbaric Healing Institute, got inside a hyperbaric oxygen chamber, asked hard questions, and, most importantly, listened to the raw, emotional, and life-changing testimonials from those who’ve experienced the healing power of HBOT. These aren’t just stories. They are proof. Proof that healing is possible. That hope is alive. And that the path forward exists—we just have to walk it together.

HBOT has shown incredible promise in treating brain injuries, PTSD, and reducing suicidal ideation—issues that plague too many of our nation’s heroes. That’s why Missouri House Bill 262 (now part of the broader House Bill 80) and Missouri Senate Bill 664 are so critical. These bills are not just pieces of legislation—they represent a lifeline. A second chance. A new chapter for countless Veterans across the state.

But legislation doesn’t pass itself. It takes relentless effort, collaboration, and unwavering resolve. And that’s what you’ll find here at Help Our Heroes. We are continuing to work tirelessly behind the scenes—meeting with lawmakers, educating communities, and amplifying the voices of those who’ve been helped by HBOT. Because we believe the stigma surrounding suicide and invisible wounds must end. We believe access to healing shouldn’t be a privilege—it should be a promise.

It takes everyone—elected officials, medical professionals, Veteran advocates, and ordinary citizens—working together to make this change a reality. We’re not stopping. Not until these bills pass. Not until HBOT is accessible to all who need it. Not until every Veteran knows there’s hope on the other side of trauma.
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We invite you to join us in this mission. Share the message. Contact your legislators. Support the cause. Because when we work together, healing becomes possible—and hope becomes unstoppable.

March is Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Awareness Month. It’s more than a campaign—it’s a call to action. At Help Our Heroes, we believe the time for half-measures is over. Veterans are waiting. The science is here. The healing is real. The moment is now.

For years, traumatic brain injury, especially the kind caused by blast exposure, concussive trauma, and combat, has been labeled an invisible wound. It steals memory, distorts personality, clouds judgment, and too often leads to hopelessness. Many of our nation's heroes are still trapped in the aftermath, stuck between ineffective treatments and a system slow to change.

What the Science Now Says: The Case for 40
According to a groundbreaking article published in Medical Gas Research (March 2025), HBOT is no longer experimental. It is a clinically validated intervention for chronic TBI when delivered in the proper dosage--at least 40 sessions at 1.5 atmospheres absolute (ATA).
Why 40? Here's what the research shows:

• Statistically significant cognitive improvements in memory, executive function, processing speed, and attention were observed after 40 HBOT sessions.
• No adverse effects were reported. This isn’t just effective—it’s safe.
• Angiogenesis (the growth of new oxygen-carrying blood vessels) occurs only after repeated, sustained exposure to pressurized oxygen. This is not a quick fix. It’s deep, cellular-level repair.

TBI is not just a one-time brain injury. It triggers a cascade of secondary damage—ischemia, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and disrupted blood flow. The only way to reverse these long-term effects is to restore oxygenation to damaged tissue—exactly what HBOT is designed to do.

Why HBOT for TBI Is Not the Same as HBOT for Divers
Historically, HBOT has been used to treat decompression sickness (DCS) in Navy divers. These cases required single-session treatments. But TBI is different. It’s not about bubbles—it's about rebuilding brain vasculature, reducing inflammation, and restoring neural networks.
That’s why the Navy, which originally standardized hyperbaric protocols, now recognizes longer HBOT schedules (40–60 hours) as the therapeutic benchmark for brain repair.
This is not theory. This is medicine evolving in real time.

The Missouri Opportunity: HB 262 (Now in HB 80) and SB 664
Missouri can become a national leader in veteran brain injury recovery. Two crucial pieces of legislation are on the table:

• HB 262, now incorporated into HB 80, and
• Senate Bill 664,
  would establish the Veterans Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment and Recovery Fund. This would:
  • Reimburse facilities that provide HBOT using a specific peer-reviewed neurological protocol to Veterans with TBI or PTSD
  • Fund clinical studies on HBOT and other alternative therapies
  • Expand access and awareness around this life-changing care

This isn’t about politics. It’s about people. It’s about saving lives. It’s about honoring service with science-backed solutions.

The Paradigm Shift Is Here
We are no longer asking if HBOT works—we’re asking how quickly we can get it to those heroes who need it.
There is now irrefutable biological evidence that HBOT:

• Restores oxygen-starved neurons
  
• Reverses chronic inflammation
  
• Promotes neurogenesis
  
• Increases mitochondrial efficiency
  
• Mobilizes the body’s own stem cells
  

And perhaps most importantly, restores hope.

Let’s Lead the Nation in Healing
For too long, our Veterans have been waiting in the dark. Now, they have a light. But they need us to carry it forward.
40 treatments. One powerful therapy. A lifetime of healing.
Support HBOT. Support our veterans. Support the future of medicine.
Let’s make Missouri the model for the nation.
[Get Involved] | [Donate] | [Contact Your Legislator]
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Missouri has recently introduced Senate Bill (SB) 664, known as the "Veterans Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment and Recovery Act", aiming to enhance support for Veterans suffering from traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 
Sponsored by Senator Rick Brattin, the bill was first read on February 3, 2025, and is currently under legislative consideration. 

Key Provisions of SB 664:

• Establishment of a Dedicated Fund​: The bill proposes the creation of the "Veterans Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment and Recovery Fund". This fund is designed to reimburse eligible facilities that provide Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) to Veterans diagnosed with TBI and or PTSD. 
• Eligibility and Cost Coverage: Veterans meeting specific criteria can receive HBOT at "no personal cost", as facilities are prohibited from charging Veterans for this therapy under the act.
• Annual Reporting and Oversight: The Missouri Veterans and Armed Services, previously known as the Missouri Veterans Commission, is tasked with compiling annual reports detailing HBOT treatments and their effectiveness. Additionally, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services will award funds for studies on alternative therapies and submit annual findings and recommendations to the Governor by January 30th each year.

This legislative effort reflects Missouri's commitment to addressing the complex health challenges faced within the Veteran community, ensuring access to innovative and effective treatments. 

Missouri is taking a monumental step toward improving the lives of Veterans suffering from Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). With Missouri House Bill 262 being incorporated into Missouri House Bill 80, the state has the opportunity to bring proven, life-changing treatment to individuals who have served our nation. This legislation prioritizes access to Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), a therapy supported by robust, evidence-based research.

The Science Behind HBOT
HBOT works by delivering 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber, saturating the blood with oxygen to promote healing at the cellular level. For individuals with TBI and PTSD, HBOT helps by:

1. Increasing Oxygen Delivery: Enhances oxygen flow to damaged areas of the brain.
2. Reducing Inflammation: Lowers swelling and promotes tissue repair.
3. Stimulating Neuroplasticity: Encourages the brain to form new, healthy connections.
4. Accelerating Healing: Repairs and regenerates cells damaged by injury or trauma.​

Data from peer-reviewed research studies consistently report that 70-85% of individuals with TBI and/or PTSD experience measurable clinical improvement following HBOT at neurological protocols (40+ treatments, 1.5-2.0 ATA, 60 minutes per session). This isn’t anecdotal—it’s evidence-based medicine, backed by science and real-world outcomes.

Evidence-Based Research Articles: 

1. Systematic review and dosage analysis: hyperbaric oxygen therapy efficacy in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder
   
2. The National Brain Injury Rescue and Rehabilitation Study - a multicenter observational study of hyperbaric oxygen for mild traumatic brain injury with post-concussive symptoms
   

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber, allowing the body to absorb more oxygen to heal damaged tissues, especially in the brain. It reduces swelling (neuroinflammation), repairs damaged cells, and encourages the brain to create new connections (neuroplasticity). This makes HBOT a powerful treatment for conditions like PTSD and TBI, helping veterans and others recover and improve their quality of life.

Robert's Story - A Veteran's Healing of TBI & PTSD with HBOT
In this video, Bobby Dawson shares his journey of healing from Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and PTSD through HBOT. He discusses how the therapy has significantly improved his quality of life.

Dr. Paul Harch & The Science Behind the Practice
​​This interview focuses on Dr. Harch's personal journey and the scientific discoveries he's made in the field of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Improves Symptoms, Brain's Microstructure and Functionality in Veterans with Treatment Resistant Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Trial
This is a peer-reviewed study that ​evaluated the effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) on veterans with treatment-resistant PTSD. Participants underwent sixty daily hyperbaric sessions, and outcomes were measured using standardized clinical assessments and advanced imaging techniques. The findings indicated significant improvements in PTSD symptoms, as well as enhancements in brain microstructure and functionality.
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