HARRISBURG – The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee advanced a bill and a resolution today to establish a loan repayment program for Pennsylvania National Guard spouses and expand treatment options for veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to committee chair Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33).
“I’m very proud of the committee’s work to help veterans and active-duty service members,” Mastriano said. “These important measures help ensure those who put their safety on the line to protect our communities have the support they need to thrive.”
Senate Bill 1471, sponsored by Mastriano, would allow a Guard member’s state education benefits to be applied toward repayment of their spouse’s existing student loan. The change was requested by the Pennsylvania National Guard Association and would not require any additional taxpayer funding.
“By providing more flexibility for how Guard members can use their education benefits, we’re strengthening recruitment and retention, and recognizing strong families build strong service members,” Mastriano said.
Senate Resolution 122, sponsored by veteran Sens. Tracy Pennycuick (R-24), Devlin Robinson (R-37), Gene Yaw (R-23), Greg Rothman (R-34), Cris Dush (R-25) and Mastriano, would urge Congress to pass the TREAT PTSD Act, which would expand access to specialized post-traumatic stress disorder treatment for veterans and members of the armed forces. The measure would make Stellate Ganglion Block therapy, which relieves feelings of stress by applying an injection into the bundle of nerves that sends signals of fight or flight to the body, available at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs facilities.
“Stellate Ganglion Block therapy has been used to treat those suffering with post-traumatic stress disorder for decades and has provided relief to many,” Mastriano said. “If it works, there is no reason why it should not be available to our veterans.”
The bill and resolution now advance to the full Senate for further consideration.