Bipartisan Lawmakers Invite Trump’s Veterans Affairs Chief to Discuss Psychedelic Therapy Access for U.S. Military Veterans

Congressional Psychedelics Caucus Takes Bold Step Toward Expanding Veteran Mental Health Options

Bipartisan congressional leaders are ramping up pressure on federal agencies to explore alternative mental health treatments for veterans, specifically psychedelic-assisted therapies. Reps. Lou Correa (D-CA) and Jack Bergman (R-MI), co-chairs of the Congressional Psychedelic Advancing Therapies (PATH) Caucus, have formally reached out to Doug Collins—President Donald Trump’s Secretary of Veterans Affairs—requesting a meeting to discuss collaborative strategies to introduce psychedelic medicine into the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system.

Their letter, delivered Wednesday, reflects a growing movement in Congress that increasingly views psychedelic compounds like MDMA, psilocybin, and ibogaine as viable tools to combat the mental health crisis among military veterans. These lawmakers are particularly encouraged by Collins’ public remarks expressing interest in the therapeutic potential of psychedelics. Collins, a former Republican congressman, has made psychedelic research a talking point in recent public and private discussions, including during a Cabinet meeting with Trump.

Psychedelics Gain Momentum in the Federal Policy Arena as Lawmakers Eye Therapeutic Benefits

The invitation to meet with the PATH Caucus arrives at a pivotal time. Psychedelics are experiencing a renaissance in the scientific and policy communities, bolstered by growing evidence from clinical trials showing promise in treating conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders.

Veterans are disproportionately impacted by these conditions due to combat trauma, and many advocates argue that traditional therapies have failed to address their needs. With suicide rates among veterans alarmingly high—averaging nearly 18 per day—lawmakers are seeking every possible avenue to improve mental health care and reduce preventable deaths.

VA-Funded Psychedelics Research Marks a Major Shift in Federal Medical Policy

In December, the Department of Veterans Affairs allocated $1.5 million in funding for a groundbreaking study on MDMA-assisted therapy. This trial targets veterans diagnosed with both PTSD and alcohol use disorder (AUD), aiming to evaluate whether psychedelic-assisted treatments can outperform standard interventions. The funding signaled a cautious but significant departure from the VA’s historically conservative stance on alternative treatments.

This development follows early success in VA-supported research. For example, studies overseen by leading researchers like Dr. Rachel Yehuda at the VA’s James J. Peters Medical Center demonstrated “stunning and robust” results in early trials of MDMA therapy for PTSD. Such outcomes have fueled enthusiasm among both scientists and policymakers who believe the potential benefits far outweigh outdated stigma surrounding psychedelics.

Legislative Momentum Builds as Correa and Bergman Push for Psychedelics Centers of Excellence

In addition to their letter to Secretary Collins, Correa and Bergman recently introduced legislation proposing the creation of “Centers of Excellence” within the VA system. These centers would serve as innovation hubs where veterans could access cutting-edge psychedelic treatments under medical supervision. The bill requests $30 million in annual funding to establish and support these facilities across the country.

By embedding psychedelics therapy into the VA’s infrastructure, the lawmakers aim to normalize their use within veteran care. This approach would also help scale access to treatments that have been largely confined to research settings or private clinics—often out of reach for those most in need.

Veterans Advocacy and Public Support Pave the Way for Policy Reform

The initiative aligns with increasing public support for psychedelics reform. Numerous polls show that Americans—especially younger demographics and military families—are open to alternative approaches for treating mental health conditions. As stories of transformation through psychedelics emerge from veterans’ communities, pressure mounts on federal agencies to adopt a more progressive posture.

Veterans advocacy groups have also emerged as powerful voices in the psychedelic space. Their testimonies have helped reframe psychedelics not as recreational drugs, but as legitimate medical tools with life-saving potential. This cultural shift has created fertile ground for legislative efforts, particularly ones backed by bipartisan coalitions.

Trump Administration Officials Signal Willingness to Support Psychedelics Research and Policy

Doug Collins has not been alone in his openness to psychedelics therapy. Key figures in the Trump administration have also shown signs of support. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. reportedly held discussions with Collins on the subject, sparking what Collins later described as an “eye-opening” realization of the scope and urgency of the issue.

While psychedelic medicine remains federally illegal under the Controlled Substances Act, there are increasing calls to modernize federal law in light of evolving medical evidence. Collins has expressed interest in engaging Congress to explore legislative and regulatory frameworks that could facilitate access while maintaining rigorous safety standards.

Potential for VA-Backed Psychedelic Vouchers Highlights Innovative Access Models

In addition to integrating psychedelics into VA clinics, Collins has floated the idea of government-issued vouchers to help veterans afford treatments at private facilities. This proposal acknowledges current limitations within VA infrastructure while offering an interim solution to veterans seeking immediate care. If implemented, it could bridge the gap between clinical trials and broader public access.

Such a move would mirror strategies used in other healthcare initiatives, where public funding is used to subsidize high-cost treatments that show measurable benefit. It also reflects a recognition that many veterans are already turning to psychedelic therapy—often at great personal expense and legal risk—in hopes of finding relief that conventional medicine has failed to provide.

Lawmakers Hope Collaborative Meeting With VA Secretary Can Chart Path Forward

By inviting Secretary Collins to a formal meeting, Correa and Bergman hope to jumpstart deeper cooperation between Congress and the Department of Veterans Affairs. The goal is not just to discuss current trials or future legislation, but to forge a long-term strategy that ensures veterans can benefit from the full range of mental health treatments backed by science.

Their invitation underscores a bipartisan willingness to tackle the mental health crisis through innovative, and sometimes controversial, means. With Collins already signaling a progressive stance, the lawmakers are optimistic that momentum will continue to build toward meaningful reform.

Psychedelic Policy Reform Enters the National Dialogue Through Veteran Healthcare

The broader implications of this movement are not limited to veterans alone. By using the VA as a launch point for psychedelic therapies, policymakers may set a precedent for wider adoption in other federal agencies and healthcare settings. What begins as an initiative to support veterans could eventually transform how mental health is treated across the entire U.S. population.

As the PATH Caucus pushes forward, its members are betting that bipartisan cooperation, public advocacy, and scientific progress will overcome the regulatory and cultural hurdles that have long impeded psychedelic research. With suicide and mental illness continuing to take a devastating toll, lawmakers argue that innovation is not just preferable—it is necessary.