As passed by the House today, House Bills 5456 and 5457 are less a grant program providing veterans with access to an effective treatment for PTSD, and more a state-funded experiment to test the effectiveness of an unproven intervention, in which our veterans may be unknowing participants. This is because the bill allows providers of so-called ‘mild’ hyperbaric oxygen therapy, delivered in ‘soft-sided’ fabric hyperbaric chambers that do not meet the NFPA-99 fire code and other recognized safety standards, to be reimbursed through the grant program. Unlike traditional hyperbaric oxygen therapy delivered in a steel chamber, the evidence that ‘mild’ HBOT therapy reduces the symptoms of PTSD and Post-concussion Syndrome is inconclusive. More research into the efficacy of this intervention should be conducted before it is allowed under the grant program; under the program as currently devised, the state would run the risk of spending millions of taxpayer dollars on a treatment that ultimately does little to help our veterans.
Worryingly, I have spoken with representatives from Michigan’s hospitals who say that the grant program’s reimbursement rates for ‘hard-sided’ chambers, typically run out of hospitals or hospital outpatient departments, is too low to warrant their participation in the program. In effect, the grant program would result in a windfall for an unproven modality at the expense of one that we know is safe and effective.
Furthermore, the safety standards for eligible facilities under HBs 5456-5457 are inadequate. Most shockingly, the bills permit eligible facilities to be ‘accredited’ by two organizations, the International Hyperbaric Association and the International Board of Undersea Medicine, that are not accreditation organizations, but trade associations for hyperbaric medicine practitioners and facility owners. In contrast, my and my colleagues’ House Bills 5590-5593, which create licensing standards for freestanding HBOT facilities, were developed in consultation with hospitals, hyperbaric medicine practitioners, and the world’s leading hyperbaric facility accreditation programs. My and Representative Young’s proposed amendment tie-barring HBs 5456-5457 to HBs 5590-5593 failed, meaning that the grant program would operate with inadequate safety standards and oversight. For these reasons, I cannot vote for the bills in their current form.”
Rep. Weiss, having reserved the right to explain her protest against the passage of the bill, made the following statement:
“Mr. Speaker and members of the House:
As a strong supporter of veterans, I still had concerns about this legislation. The type of chambers that would be approved for use are problematic and research shows they do not deliver the benefit needed to justify the costs. Additionally, there is currently no clear funding mechanism, and in light of a potential budget shortfall, I did not feel it fiscally responsible to vote ‘ yes’ knowing it may not be funded. Lastly, I believe these types of pilot programs are best served through research at the federal level.”
Rep. Rogers, having reserved the right to explain her protest against the passage of the bill, made the following statement:
“Mr. Speaker and members of the House:
I strongly support expanding access to effective mental health treatment for Michigan veterans, especially those living with post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. Our veterans deserve care that is accessible, evidence-based, and delivered safely. However, I cannot support HB 5456 and 5457 as currently written. These bills would create a state-funded pilot program for hyperbaric oxygen therapy for veterans with PTSD or TBI, even though PTSD and TBI are not currently FDA-approved uses for hyperbaric oxygen therapy chambers. While there may be promising research in this area, the state should be cautious before creating a grant program that could be seen as endorsing a treatment that has not yet received federal clearance for these conditions. Additionally, these bills allow for so-called ‘mild’ hyperbaric oxygen therapy, delivered in ‘soft-sided’ fabric hyperbaric oxygen chambers that do not meet the NFPA-99 fire code and other recognized safety standards to be reimbursed under this grant program. The evidence that mild HBOT therapy reduces the symptoms of PTSD and TBI is inconclusive. At a time when the state is facing a $1 Billion shortfall and we are struggling to shore up primary care and FDA approved treatments, I do not support this proposal at this time. My concerns are also rooted in safety. Last year, a tragic hyperbaric chamber explosion in Brighton killed a young child, and state regulators noted that the facility was not required to be licensed or regulated by LARA. Stronger state safety standards and regulations should be implemented first for providers using this equipment, including fire prevention protocols, staff training, patient monitoring, proper maintenance, and restrictions on handling of potentially dangerous materials or gases inside chambers. Supporting our veterans also means ensuring that the care we offer them is safe, properly regulated, and grounded in clear medical standards.”
House Bill No. 5984, entitled
A bill to amend 1979 PA 94, entitled “The state school aid act of 1979,” by amending sections 6, 18, and 101 (MCL 388.1606, 388.1618, and 388.1701), as amended by 2025 PA 15.
Was read a third time and passed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, by yeas and nays as follows: