Personally, I’m tired of hearing veterans say things like, “If I do ‘xyz,’ I might lose my benefits,” or “My provider told me that wouldn’t work for me,” or “I don’t have access to that.”

BE AN ADVOCATE FOR YOUR HEALTH & WELLNESS!

There are several key policies and bills that support the Whole Health approach and the integration of holistic, alternative, and complementary therapies in the care of veterans.

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1. The MISSION Act (2018)

The VA MISSION Act of 2018 significantly expanded access to care for veterans by enabling them to receive care outside the VA system in certain circumstances, including Whole Health and integrative therapies.
Key components that support Whole Health include:

• Access to community-based care: Veterans can access VA-approved providers who offer alternative therapies like acupuncture, chiropractic care, yoga, and other integrative services.
• Expanded access to mental health services: The MISSION Act broadens access to mental health services through non-traditional care, such as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies, including meditation, Reiki, and mindfulness programs.
• Veteran-centered care: The act requires that care be more personalized and based on the veteran’s needs, aligning well with the holistic principles of Whole Health.

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2. The VA Whole Health System (2018)

In 2018, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) launched its Whole Health System, a groundbreaking initiative designed to move away from just symptom-focused care and toward a holistic model that addresses veterans’ physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
Key components of the policy include:

• Personalized care plans: Focus on the whole person, incorporating mental, emotional, and spiritual health alongside physical well-being.
• Mind-body therapies: The program includes yoga, tai chi, acupuncture, massage therapy, and mindfulness practices as standard options in veterans’ care.
• Self-care and resilience-building: Encourages veterans to use self-care strategies such as nutrition, exercise, and breathing exercises in their healing journey.
• Integrative approach: Connects conventional treatments with alternative practices to offer a wide range of healing options.

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3. The Veterans Equal Access Act (2017)

The Veterans Equal Access Act allows veterans to access medical marijuana in states where it is legal, as part of a larger push for the inclusion of alternative therapies in veterans’ care. While this bill doesn’t directly mandate integrative health practices, it opens the door for further consideration of plant-based therapies, like psilocybin and cannabis, which could be included in the broader Whole Health system in the future.
Key components:

• Access to cannabis: Veterans in states with medical cannabis programs can discuss its use with their VA providers and potentially receive medical marijuana recommendations.
• Call for research: Encourages research into the potential benefits of cannabis and other alternative therapies for managing PTSD and chronic pain.

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4. S. 2981 – Psilocybin and Veteran PTSD Treatment Act (Introduced 2021)

The Psilocybin and Veteran PTSD Treatment Act is a proposed bill that supports the use of psilocybin, a psychedelic substance, as a treatment option for veterans suffering from PTSD.
Key components of the bill:

• Research and clinical trials: The bill calls for funding to support research into psilocybin’s effectiveness in treating PTSD and other mental health conditions in veterans.
• Treatment access: If proven effective, the bill would allow veterans to access psilocybin as part of their mental health care under the VA system.

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5. S. 2794 – Veterans’ Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Act (Introduced 2022)

This bill focuses on expanding the mental health services available to veterans, including access to complementary and alternative therapies as part of an integrative approach to mental health treatment.
Key components:

• Veteran suicide prevention: The bill addresses suicide prevention among veterans, emphasizing the importance of mental wellness and the inclusion of alternative therapies, like yoga, acupuncture, and other mind-body practices.
• Holistic treatment models: Expands funding for research into holistic and integrative therapies that support mental health, including therapies that focus on mindfulness, spiritual health, and other non-traditional treatments.

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6. H.R. 4045 – The Veterans’ Access to Holistic and Integrative Health Act (Introduced 2021)

This bill seeks to integrate complementary and alternative therapies into the VA health care system, with a specific focus on the use of holistic treatments for veterans.
Key components of the bill:

• Support for integrative therapies: The bill would create a pilot program to offer a range of holistic treatments, including yoga, acupuncture, chiropractic care, and stress reduction practices, to veterans suffering from conditions like chronic pain and PTSD.
• Increased funding for wellness programs: Provides additional resources to support wellness programs at VA centers and clinics that focus on whole-person care, improving both mental and physical health.

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7. The VA Research on Complementary and Integrative Health Act (Ongoing)

This is not a specific bill but an ongoing initiative within the Veterans Affairs Research department, which is actively funding research into the use of complementary therapies (such as acupuncture, meditation, mindfulness, and yoga) for veterans.
Key research areas include:

• Veterans with chronic pain: How integrative approaches can reduce reliance on opioids and other pain medications.
• Mental health and PTSD: How yoga, mindfulness, and other practices can improve outcomes for veterans suffering from PTSD.

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Summary of Impact:

These policies and bills collectively push the envelope on how veterans receive care, giving them access to integrative and holistic therapies that consider their mental, physical, and emotional health. By supporting the mission of Whole Health, these legislative efforts provide veterans with more options for healing, personal empowerment, and a greater sense of well-being.

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‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️ LAST NOT BUT LEAST‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️

⚠️ Potential Threats: Project 2025

However, it’s important to be aware of Project 2025, a proposal that could impact veterans’ health care. Critics argue that if implemented, it could lead to significant reductions in VA health services and benefits, potentially affecting access to comprehensive care, including Whole Health services. ​Project 2025+3American Postal Workers Union+3VHPI