Increase Support of Alternative Therapies and Innovative Care

IAVA's Policy Agenda for the 117th Congress

Current Policy Priorities

IAVA has recommended specific policy priorities to address the issues that matter most to post-9/11 veterans.

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Support Veterans Who Want to Utilize Medical Cannabis & Alternative Therapies

GET UP TO SPEED ON MEDICAL CANNABIS AND ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES

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WHAT IS IAVA’S PLAN?

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Support for Veterans Who Want to Utilize Medical Cannabis & Alternative Therapies

The use of medical cannabis has been of great concern to the veteran population for quite some time. For years, IAVA members have sounded off in support of researching medical cannabis for the wounds of war. Veterans consistently and passionately have communicated that cannabis offers effective help in tackling some of the most pressing injuries we face when returning from war. In our latest Member Survey, over 80% of IAVA members supported legalization for medical use. Across party lines, medical cannabis is largely unopposed. Yet our national policies are outdated, research is lacking, and stigma persists.

Over the past few years, IAVA members have set out to change the national conversation around cannabis and underscore the need for bipartisan, data-based, common-sense solutions that can bring relief to millions, save taxpayers billions and create thousands of jobs for veterans nationwide.

America is entering a new era in the cannabis debate, and IAVA will work to ensure that veterans are protected, supported, and elevated in the national debate.

IAVA's Approach

Increase Support of Alternative Therapies and Innovative Care

GET UP TO SPEED ON INCREASING SUPPORT OF ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES AND INNOVATIVE CARE

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WHAT IS IAVA’S PLAN?

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Increase Support of Alternative Therapies and Innovative Care

In IAVA’s member survey, 79% of IAVA members reported a service-connected injury and 74% reported chronic pain as a result. Seventy-one percent of those with a service-connected injury reported that it always or almost always impacted their daily lives. Caring for veterans who sustained injuries in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is one of the primary duties of the country’s system of veterans’ care. Today, because of advancements in medical technology and care on the battlefield, more veterans are surviving combat injuries than any previous generation. Many of these veterans will live their lives with complex injuries. These include unseen injuries.

The past few years have shown major expansion for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies such as chiropractic care, meditation, and yoga for conditions such as chronic pain and mental health injuries. And while research continues on these CAM therapies, investment into other alternative treatments continues through innovative care centers and private research projects. However, it is important that veterans are protected from unproven therapies that rely on shaky science and give false promise to those struggling with the wounds of war. As a community, we must ensure we are investing our resources into therapies with proven outcomes while expanding research into areas that have yet to show conclusive outcomes.

IAVA's Recommendations

  • Invest in innovative therapies and treatment options for treating the wounds of war
  • Standardize CAM therapies across VA medical facilities
  • Ensure Community Providers are trained in veteran care and understand the injuries of war
  • Fund independent research into alternative and innovative therapies for treating the wounds of war
  • Clarify and support the use of service dogs
  • Continue to fund and implement VA’s Caregiver program
  • Set outcome metrics to better define the impact of CAM treatment methods
  • Continue investment in adaptive sports to support disabled veterans

IAVA's Policy Priorities

Select a topic from the list below to learn about IAVA’s policy recommendations for the 117th Congress.