Bill > HR6993

This bill, known as the BEACON Act of 2026, directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish two grant programs aimed at improving treatments for traumatic brain injury (TBI), a common injury among veterans. The first program, the TBI Innovation Grant Program, will award grants to nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, or qualified healthcare providers to research and implement new neurorehabilitation treatments for chronic mild TBI (mTBI), focusing on patient-centered, non-pharmacological therapies and aiming to improve mental health outcomes, reduce suicidality, and mitigate long-term effects. The second program will fund independent third-party organizations, such as academic institutions or nonprofits with TBI expertise, to conduct research studies and clinical trials on supplemental neurorehabilitation treatments, with a focus on analyzing data, identifying best practices, and establishing standards of care, with specific grant categories for exploratory and collaborative research. Both programs are authorized for three years, with specific funding allocations and reporting requirements to Congress, and are designed to coordinate with existing VA mental health services to provide comprehensive support for veterans with TBI and associated conditions.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/6993/all-info