Funds for Veterans/HBOT.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2025
S 1
SENATE BILL 870

Short Title: Funds for Veterans/HBOT. (Public)
Sponsors: Senators Corbin, Lazzara, and Brinson (Primary Sponsors).
Referred to: Rules and Operations of the Senate
April 29, 2026
*S870-v-1*
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1
AN ACT TO APPROPRIAT E FUNDS TO PROVIDE F OR HYPERBARIC OXYGEN 2
THERAPY TREATMENT FOR NORTH CAROLINA VET ERANS SUFFERING FROM 3
TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJU RY (TBI) AND POSTTRA UMATIC STRESS DISORD ER 4
(PTSD). 5
Whereas, North Carolina is home to one of the largest veteran populations in the 6
nation; and 7
Whereas, veterans suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI) and posttraumatic 8
stress disorder (PTSD) experience elevated risk of depression, functional impairment, and 9
suicide; and 10
Whereas, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a recognized medical treatment and has been 11
authorized for use in treating veterans with TBI and PTSD pursuant to S.L. 2019-175; and 12
Whereas, prior State -funded pilot programs providing access to hyperbaric oxygen 13
therapy for veterans ha ve demonstrated measurable improvements in veteran health outcomes 14
and quality of life; and 15
Whereas, ensuring access to evidence-informed, nonpharmacologic treatment options 16
for veterans is in the best interests of the State of North Carolina; Now, therefore, 17
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: 18
SECTION 1. Program Established. – Within the funds made available pursuant to 19
Section 2 of this act, HBOT 4 HEROES, a nonprofit corporation, shall provide hyperbaric oxygen 20
therapy to eligible veterans who are residents of North Carolina and have a diagnosis of traumatic 21
brain injury (TBI) or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at no cost to the veteran. Treatment 22
shall be delivered through a structured program that includes clinical intake, treatment delivery, 23
and pre - and post -treatment outcome assessments. Hyper baric oxygen therapy treatment 24
provided to a veteran pursuant to this section shall be provided in accordance with Part 5 of 25
Article 6 of Chapter 122C of the General Statutes. 26
SECTION 2. Appropriation. – There is appropriated from the General Fund to the 27
Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Mental Health, Developmental 28
Disabilities, and Substance Use Services (DMH/DD/SUS), the sum of three million dollars 29
($3,000,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2026 -2027 fiscal year to provide a directed grant to 30
HBOT 4 HEROES to provide an estimated 15,000 hyperbaric oxygen treatments, serving 31
approximately 350 veterans in accordance with this act. These funds shall be used solely for 32
direct treatment services, program administration, and required reporting. The funds appropriated 33
by this section shall not revert but shall remain available until expended. 34
SECTION 3. Report. – By June 30, 2027, HBOT 4 HEROES shall submit a report 35
to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services an d the Fiscal 36
General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 2 Senate Bill 870-First Edition
Research Division on the provision of hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatment to veterans, including 1
the number of veterans served, the counties of residence of those veterans, aggregate outcomes, 2
and an accounting of State funds. 3
SECTION 4. Effective Date. – This act is effective July 1, 2026. 4