[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 10212 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 10212
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to study the potential
benefits of peptide-based therapies for veterans receiving care through
the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 1, 2026
Ms. Mace introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to study the potential
benefits of peptide-based therapies for veterans receiving care through
the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Providing Evidence-based Peptide
Therapies to Improve Delivery and Expanded Services for Veterans Act''
or the ``PEPTIDES for Veterans Act''.
SEC. 2. REVIEW OF REGULATIONS AND GUIDANCE RELATING TO PEPTIDES.
(a) Review Required.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
conduct a review of the regulations and guidance relating to peptides
and, in particular, the scope of ``peptide'' as a defined term in
Federal regulations and guidance, and shall establish an appropriate
definition of ``peptide'' for purposes of this Act. A primary focus of
the review shall be to consider addressing developments in research
relating to peptides, if any, since the regulations, guidance, and
defined terms were established.
(b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report
on the results of the review. The report shall--
(1) summarize the regulations, guidance, and defined terms;
(2) describe the research developments, if any, since the
regulations, guidance, and defined terms were established;
(3) set forth the definition of ``peptide'' established by
the Secretary for purposes of this Act;
(4) set forth a definition of ``peptide-based therapy'' for
purposes of this Act and any guidance the Secretary determines
to be appropriate regarding what constitutes such a therapy;
and
(5) explain the rationale for the definition established by
the Secretary and the differences, if any, between such
definition and other definitions of ``peptide'' in Federal
regulations and guidance.
SEC. 3. STUDY ON POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF PEPTIDE-BASED THERAPIES FOR
VETERANS AND PILOT PROGRAM TO EVALUATE THERAPIES.
(a) Study Required.--
(1) In general.--Beginning on the date on which the report
required by section 2 is submitted to Congress, the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a study on the safety,
efficacy, and potential therapeutic benefits of peptide-based
therapies for veterans receiving care at medical facilities of
the Department of Veterans Affairs.
(2) Matters included.--In carrying out the study, the
Secretary shall--
(A) review medical research;
(B) establish clinical protocols;
(C) identify potential applications relating to
recovery, rehabilitation, chronic pain, mental health,
physical wellness, and other service-connected
conditions affecting veterans; and
(D) consider the extent to which peptides are safe
to use for clinical and rehabilitation purposes.
(3) Completion of study.--The study shall be completed not
later than the date that is 18 months after the date on which
the report required by section 2 is submitted to Congress.
(4) Report.--Upon completing the study, the Secretary shall
submit to Congress a report on the results of the study. The
report shall include findings, recommendations, and a
determination as to whether peptide-based therapies should be
made available to veterans receiving care at medical facilities
of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
(b) Pilot Program.--
(1) In general.--If the Secretary determines, in the report
required by subsection (a)(4), that peptide-based therapies
should be provided to such veterans, then the Secretary shall
carry out a pilot program under which peptide-based therapies
are made available to such veterans and the results of those
therapies are assessed.
(2) Limitations on pilot program.--Participation in the
pilot program shall be limited to veterans who elect to
participate, and the Secretary shall impose such other
geographic, clinical, or other limitations on the pilot program
as the Secretary considers appropriate.
(3) Completion of pilot program.--The pilot program shall
be completed not later than the date that is 5 years after the
date on which it is established.
(4) Report.--Upon completing the pilot program, the
Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the results of
the pilot program. The report shall include--
(A) a detailed description of the effectiveness of
peptide treatments for clinical and rehabilitation
purposes, including a determination as to what
conditions or ailments are improved by use of peptides;
(B) guidance on large-scale implementation of
peptides throughout the medical facilities of the
Department; and
(C) any challenges encountered in carrying out the
pilot program.
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