HR 8115
Precision Brain Health Research Act of 2026
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Bill overview
The Precision Brain Health Research Act of 2026 expands the Scott Hannon Initiative within the Department of Veterans Affairs to focus specifically on brain and mental health conditions related to repetitive low-level blast exposure, dementia, and other brain conditions. It requires the VA and Department of Defense to establish a data-sharing partnership and conduct research, including large-scale studies and translational research, to better understand and treat these conditions. The initiative is authorized through FY2030, with ongoing reporting requirements to Congress.
Key provisions
- Expands the Scott Hannon Initiative to include research on repetitive low-level blast exposure, dementia, and other brain conditions.
- Requires a data-sharing partnership between the VA and the Department of Defense.
- Mandates the VA to conduct research, including big-data assessments, implementation studies, and translational research, related to low-level blast injuries.
- Requires the VA to seek a contract with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine for biomarker validation.
- Calls for regular reports to Congress on the initiative's progress and recommendations for improvement.
- Requires an assessment of ongoing and planned research studies within the initiative.
- Authorizes $5,000,000 annually for the initiative from FY2025 through FY2030.
Who is affected
- Veterans
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- Department of Defense
- Researchers
- Patients with brain and mental health conditions
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119th CONGRESS — 2d Session
H. R. 8115
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
A BILL
To modify the Precision Medicine for Veterans Initiative of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
This Act may be cited as the Precision Brain Health Research Act of 2026
.
Section 305 of the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019 (38 U.S.C. 1712A note; Public Law 116–171) is amended—
in subsection (a), by striking and such other mental health conditions
and inserting repetitive low-level blast exposure, dementia, and such other brain and mental health conditions
;
in subsection (d)(4), by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
Precision Brain Health Research Act of 2026
, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense shall establish a data-sharing partnership between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense.A description of any new therapy or treatment protocol developed using data shared through the partnership.
The evaluation of the Secretary of the partnership.
Recommendations of the Secretary regarding the partnership.
by adding at the end the following new subsections:
In carrying out the initiative under subsection (a), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct the following research:
A big-data assessment of the clinical and non-clinical interventions that are illustrating positive outcomes for patients within the health system of the Veterans Health Administration with likely low-level repetitive blast injuries, including a categorization of military occupational specialties, and units, known to experience higher levels of low-level repetitive blast injuries.
Not fewer than two large-scale implementation studies of research-proven interventions within such health system for patients with likely low-level repetitive blast injuries, including a categorization of military occupational specialties, and units, known to experience higher levels of low-level repetitive blast injuries.
A translational research study on the use of growth hormone replacement therapy on the improvement of cognitive function, quality of life, brain structure, and other negative symptoms on patients within such health system with likely low-level repetitive blast injuries.
Not fewer than four large-scale quality improvement studies on improving the diagnosis and care of veteran patients with likely low-level repetitive blast injuries.
Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of the
Precision Brain Health Research Act of 2026
, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall seek to enter into a contract with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine under which the National Academies shall—Not later than 60 days after completion of the assessment conducted under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the assessment.
Each report required by paragraph (1) shall include recommendations for immediate administrative and legislative action to improve the initiative under subsection (a).
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs $5,000,000 to carry out the initiative under subsection (a) for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2030.