Congressman Steven Knight, R-Palmdale, is introducing new legislation that would fund a pilot program aimed at treating PTSD, trauma, chronic pain and addiction experienced by U.S. military veterans.

The No Hero Left Untreated Act would pay for a pilot program at five Veterans Association Hospital aimed at treating PTSD, TBI, trauma, military sexual trauma, chronic pain and opiate addiction experienced by veterans through Magnetic eResonance Therapy technology, or MeRT technology.

MeRT technology is a therapy used to treat PTSD, TBI, military sexual trauma, chronic pain, and opiate addiction pioneered by an interdisciplinary clinic based in Southern California called the Brain Treatment Center.

Click here for the audio of KHTS’ exclusive interview with Congressman Steve Knight.

“Too many of our nation’s veterans continue to suffer from the invisible wounds of war,” said Paul W. (Buddy) Bucha, a Vietnam War Veteran and Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. “We can honor those who have served by making the right investments in innovative and proven medical treatments like MeRT.”

The Brain Treatment Center, an affiliate of the USC Center for Neurorestoration, has utilized MeRT technology to treat over 400 veterans through a series of open-label trials and placebo-controlled, double-blind studies.

“Thus far, 98 percent of veteran PTSD/TBI patients have responded positively to this treatment option – averaging a 61 percent reduction in symptom severity as measured by the PTSD Check List – Military (PCL-M) assessment and demonstrated by measureable EEG/EKG changes,” according to a news release from Knight’s office. “Notably, these results are fast and durable (on average, the treatment length is only 4 weeks long).”

Recently, the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Under Secretary of Health requested a proposal from Brain Treatment Center to begin pilot programs in the “practice of medicine” on MeRT to treat veterans suffering from PTSD/TBI and opiate addiction, the news release stated.

“Our veterans risked everything to protect our country and our values, and we owe them a tremendous debt,” said Rep. Knight. “We have an opportunity to support and expand on promising technology that could bring relief to our heroes, and I am proud to be part of the effort to move forward with providing the best treatment for our veterans.”

Knight is introducing  The No Hero Left Untreated Act on Thursday afternoon. It is supported by a broad coalition of veterans service organizations including the American Legion and Blue Star Families. The bill currently awaits assignment to committee.