Missouri HB 262 Heads to the Governor’s Desk — A Historic Step Toward Healing

5/14/2025

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.

2 Comments

Fred Gatewood link

6/28/2025 08:25:20 am

I am super excited that HB262 was sent to the governor’s desk. How do you plan to make this known to all veterans? Are you able to contact every veteran & let them know these services are available? Also many veterans with severe PTSD will not admit to their condition & come in for treatment. I love that this is available for our veterans & I’m sure many will take advantage of this life saving treatment, but we must be able to reach & treat all of them. Many are homeless & addicted, so those will be the most difficult to offer these wonderful services. Hopefully a plan is in place to assist everyone & allow them to become functioning members of society.

Help Our Heroes link

6/29/2025 05:28:34 pm

Hi Fred,

Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment and for sharing your concern for our Veterans—especially those who are the hardest to reach.

The Help Our Heroes team has been speaking with leaders from a range of Veteran Service Organizations (including the VFW, DAV, American Legion, Veterans Community Project, and others) about sharing this information widely across Missouri through their social media channels, newsletters, and local posts. We’ve also been in touch with Missouri news media outlets to help support broader outreach efforts.

You bring up an important point: many Veterans who need this care the most, those experiencing homelessness, addiction, or severe PTSD, often aren’t connected to traditional services. We’re committed to working with community partners to find ways to reach these Veterans wherever they are in the state.

It’s also important to note that while HB 262 has passed the legislature and is pending Governor Mike Kehoe's signature, it is not yet funded. We anticipate it will require a budget request in the next legislative session to secure the necessary funding to implement treatment. In the meantime, we are actively working on fundraising to help support access to HBOT through our HBOT Campaign, outside of HB 262.

This is why it’s so important to have everyone’s support—from individuals to community groups—to help get these bills passed and ensure the funding is there to make this life-changing care accessible to every Veteran who needs it.

Thank you again for your support and for caring so deeply about helping all of our heroes get the help they deserve.

Help Our Heroes Connections

Missouri HB 262 Heads to the Governor’s Desk — A Historic Step Toward Healing

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Blake Richardson

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