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Primary Sponsor

Last Action

Re-ref Com On Appropriations/Base Budget2026-04-29

Vote Breakdown

No floor votes recorded.

Plain Language Summary

This bill appropriates $3 million in state funding for fiscal year 2026-2027 to provide free hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) treatment to North Carolina veterans diagnosed with traumatic brain injury (TBI) or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The funding will be directed to a nonprofit called HBOT 4 HEROES to deliver an estimated 15,000 treatments to approximately 350 veterans, with program oversight and outcome reporting required.

Arguments in Favor

• •Supporters argue that this bill addresses a critical health need for North Carolina veterans, who face elevated risks of depression, suicide, and functional impairment from TBI and PTSD.
• •They point to prior state-funded pilot programs that demonstrated measurable improvements in veteran health outcomes and quality of life, and note that hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a recognized, nonpharmacologic treatment option already authorized under state law.
• •Providing this treatment at no cost removes financial barriers and demonstrates the state's commitment to supporting its large veteran population.

Arguments Against

• •Opponents may question whether $3 million in nonrecurring state funds represents the best use of limited resources, particularly whether hyperbaric oxygen therapy has sufficient scientific evidence compared to other established mental health treatments.
• •Some may express concerns about directing funds through a single nonprofit organization rather than existing state infrastructure, or whether the program's sustainability is uncertain given the one-time funding allocation.
• •Others might argue the state should prioritize funding for mental health services and treatments with broader availability to all North Carolinians in need.