From Missouri to Kansas: The Momentum to Expand Access to Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Continues

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A little over a year ago, Missouri made history by passing legislation to help veterans access hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for traumatic brain injury (TBI), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and persistent post-concussion symptoms.
That victory was never meant to be the finish line.
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For the past six months, the Help Our Heroes team has continued working behind the scenes with legislators, medical professionals, advocacy organizations, and community partners to identify sustainable state funding opportunities that will help Missouri veterans receive the care they deserve.

At the same time, we have been laying the foundation for the next step: Kansas.

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Building on Missouri's Success
Passing legislation is only the first step.
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The true goal is ensuring that veterans can actually access treatment when they need it. That means identifying funding sources, building partnerships, and creating a program that is sustainable for years to come.

Our team continues to explore multiple funding pathways that can help support Missouri veterans seeking evidence-based HBOT while strengthening the long-term success of the program.

Every meeting, every partnership, and every conversation has continued to move us one step closer.

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Kansas Takes the Next Step
We're excited to share another major milestone.

Help Our Heroes is now working with Kansas State Representative Adam Turk, who has stepped forward as the sponsor and champion for Kansas' HBOT legislation.
The proposed bill is currently in the research and drafting phase, with the initial draft expected to be available in mid-August.

If passed, Kansas would become the first state in the nation to introduce legislation providing access to evidence-based hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for both veterans and first responders living with traumatic brain injuries (TBI), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and persistent post-concussion symptoms.

This is an important step forward. Both communities face a high risk of repeated head trauma and psychological stress while serving others, yet many continue to face limited access to evidence-based treatment options.
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While there is still considerable work ahead, we are encouraged by the progress being made and remain committed to working alongside legislators, researchers, medical professionals, and advocates to move this effort forward.

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Why This Matters
Traumatic brain injuries remain one of the most common injuries affecting military veterans.

Many continue to experience symptoms years after their injury, including:

• Memory and concentration problems
• Sleep disturbances
• Anxiety and depression
• PTSD symptoms
• Headaches
• Emotional regulation challenges
• Reduced quality of life

Over the past two decades, a growing body of peer-reviewed research has investigated neurological HBOT protocols for chronic TBI and PTSD, with multiple randomized controlled trials reporting improvements in symptoms, cognitive performance, quality of life, and objective measures of brain function in many participants.

Our mission is simple:
Veterans and first responders deserve the opportunity to discuss all evidence-based treatment options with their healthcare providers and have reasonable access to therapies supported by scientific research.

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The Work Continues
Legislation does not happen overnight.
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It takes months of research, collaboration, education, and persistence to move meaningful policy forward.

We're grateful for every legislator, physician, researcher, veteran, donor, volunteer, and advocate who has helped us reach this point.

Together, we're proving that meaningful change happens when people refuse to give up.

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How You Can HelpYou can help us continue this mission by:

• Sharing our educational content.
• Following our legislative progress.
• Supporting Help Our Heroes' outreach efforts.
• Introducing us to legislators, organizations, or community leaders interested in advancing veteran healthcare.
• Donating to help us continue advocating for evidence-based treatment access.

Every conversation raises awareness.
Every supporter creates momentum.
Every voice helps another veteran and or first responder move one step closer to healing.