Missouri House Bill 262 Joins House Bill 80: A Vital Step Toward Healing Our Heroes

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 Importance of Missouri House Bill 80
Missouri House Bill 80, with the integration of HB 262, recognizes HBOT as a vital treatment for Veterans with a diagnosis of TBI and or PTSD. This bill aims to make HBOT accessible to Veterans in need, offering a safe, effective, and non-invasive therapy for conditions that have long been resistant to traditional treatments.
Why is this important? TBI and PTSD are invisible wounds that impact thousands of Veterans, often leading to long-term disability, emotional distress, reduced quality of life, which can lead to suicide. For years, many have been left without effective solutions, trapped in cycles of medication and ineffective therapies. HBOT offers a path forward, giving Veterans a chance to heal, recover, and regain hope.

---

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
   

---

A Chance to Heal: Why Passing This Bill Matters
Passing Missouri House Bill 80 is not just about providing access to a treatment; it’s about giving Veterans and others the tools they need to heal. Here’s why it’s critical:

• Hope for Veterans: For those who have served and sacrificed, this bill ensures access to a therapy that addresses the root causes of their conditions.
• Proven Efficacy: The overwhelming success rates of HBOT show its potential to change lives.
• Cost-Effective Care: By promoting healing and recovery, HBOT reduces the long-term costs of managing chronic conditions.
  
• A Model for the Nation: Missouri has the chance to lead the way in demonstrating how states can prioritize veterans’ health through innovative, evidence-based care.

---

How You Can Help
Missouri House Bill 80 is a beacon of hope, but it needs support to become law. Here’s how you can make a difference:

1. Contact Your Representatives: Express your support for HB 80 and the impact it will have on veterans and others in need.
2. Spread the Word: Share the importance of HBOT and this legislation with your community.
3. Donate: Help Our Heroes is raising funds to support 'approved' HBOT facilities, like Hyperbaric Healing Institute, that follow peer-reviewed neurological protocols—ensuring Veterans can access life-changing care now and even before the bill is passed.

---

A Call to Action
The evidence is clear: HBOT works. With Missouri House Bill 80, we can bring this life-changing therapy to those who need it most. Let’s come together to heal our heroes and ensure that no veteran is left without the care they deserve.

Contact your legislators today, donate to support treatments, and share this message. It takes EVERYONE to make a difference--one life, one treatment, one Veteran at a time.