Bipartisan Lawmakers, Veterans and Clinicians Convene on Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence Act—Including Psychedelic Therapies
“Antibiotics was one absolute miracle that changed the world… outside of that, I cannot think of anything that would get on the level of iboga.”
– Dalibor Sames, PhD, Columbia University
“The master key of the master key—the discovery of my lifetime.”
– Gül Dolen, UC Berkeley
MEDIA ALERT
WASHINGTON — Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026 — As the 119th Congress convenes and veteran suicide remains a top national concern, lawmakers, veterans’ advocates, clinicians, and members of the public will gather on Capitol Hill for a public, press-open forum urging momentum on the Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence Act, bipartisan legislation to expand evidence-based mental health care, including psychedelic-assisted therapies, within the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The event is free and open to the public, with press encouraged to attend.
The bill, led by co-Chairs of the Psychedelics Advancing Therapies (PATH) Caucus Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA) and Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI), would designate and fund at least five VA-based Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence to address PTSD, traumatic brain injury, depression, substance use disorders, chronic pain, and related conditions that continue to strain existing VA infrastructure. The House bill has been introduced and is actively gaining bipartisan co-sponsors, with committee action expected once a companion Senate bill—now in development—is introduced.
The forum comes amid growing congressional attention to veteran mental health and following recent federal investments in advanced mental and behavioral health research. Earlier this year, ARPA-H announced up to $100 million in funding for quantitative measures of mental and behavioral health, including research into psychedelic-assisted therapies. Speakers will call on lawmakers to prioritize the bill early in the new session and expand bipartisan co-sponsorship, and discuss what gold-standard care requires as these therapies scale.
WHO
- Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA-46) – Introducer, Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence Act; Co-Chair, Psychedelics Advancing Therapies (PATH) Caucus
- Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI) – Original Co-sponsor, Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence Act
- Rep. Morgan Luttrell (R-TX-08) – Original Co-sponsor, Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence Act, Psychedelic-assisted Therapy Advocate
- Jay Kopelman – CEO, Mission Within Foundation; retired Marine Corps Lt. Col., NYT Bestselling Author, World Jiu Jitsu Champion
- Martín Polanco, MD – Founder, Mission Within Foundation; physician administering ibogaine and psychedelic therapies for 25+ years for trauma and addiction
- Melissa Lavasani – Founder & CEO, Psychedelic Medicine Coalition (Moderator)
- Samantha Juan, Former US Army Special Operations Veteran, Federal Communications Leader, Artist and Creator
WHAT
Public Capitol Hill forum and panel discussion on veteran suicide, VA mental health capacity, and the role of innovative and emerging therapies — followed by audience Q&A and a public call to action.
WHEN / WHERE
Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026
6:00–8:00 PM ET
U.S. Capitol Visitor Center
1st St SE, Washington, DC
WHY IT MATTERS
An estimated 20 – 40 veterans die by suicide each day. Advocates argue that without dedicated VA infrastructure to evaluate and deliver emerging treatments within regulated settings, veterans will continue to face limited options — or be forced to seek care outside the U.S. healthcare system.
The event will conclude with a public call for attendees to contact their members of Congress in support of the Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence Act as legislative priorities for 2026 are set.
ABOUT
Representative Lou Correa (D-CA-46) is serving his fourth term in Congress, proudly representing California’s 46th district, which includes the Cities of Santa Ana, Anaheim, Orange, Stanton, and Fullerton. He serves on the House Judiciary Committee, as well as the House Homeland Security Committee, and is the Ranking Member of the House Border Security Subcommittee. He graduated from California State University, Fullerton with a degree in Economics, and returned to college and earned his Juris Doctor (JD), and Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He is a longtime Orange County resident, with deep local roots. To this day, he lives only three miles from his childhood neighborhood in Anaheim. He is the son of working-class parents whose hard work gave him a chance at success, and has spent his career fighting to protect the American Dream, and ensure anyone can reach the middle class, just as he did.
Congressman Jack Bergman proudly represents the First District of Michigan and serves on the House Armed Services Committee, House Budget Committee, and the Veterans’ Affairs Committee in the 119th Congress. Prior to taking office in January of 2017, Congressman Bergman was a small business owner, commercial airline pilot for 22 years, and a United States Marine Corps officer. During the Vietnam War, he flew CH-46 helicopters, and later was assigned as a flight instructor at Whiting Field, Florida. In 2005, Congressman Bergman assumed command of Marine Forces Reserve/Marine Forces North based in New Orleans, and he retired from the Marine Corps in December 2009 at the rank of Lieutenant General. The Congressman is the highest ranking combat Veteran ever elected to Congress. He and his wife Cindy have called Watersmeet home since the early 1990’s. They have ten grandchildren and aim to leave the world a better place.
Congressman Morgan Luttrell is currently serving his second term representing Texas’ 8th Congressional District. Texas’ 8th District encompasses parts of Montgomery, Walker, Harris, and all of San Jacinto and Polk counties. As a 5th generation Texan raised on a horse ranch, Morgan learned the importance of hard work, discipline, and personal responsibility at an early age. He turned his strong values, deep love for America, and passion for helping others into a career of distinguished service. After graduating from Willis High School, Morgan earned his bachelors in Psychology from Sam Houston State University. Shortly after graduation, he enlisted in the US Navy. In 2009, by the grace of God, Morgan survived a deadly helicopter crash that left him with a broken back and a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Determined to get back in the fight with his teammates, Morgan rehabbed, recovered, and returned to the frontline.
Jay Kopelman is CEO of Mission Within Foundation, leading efforts to expand access to psychedelic therapy for veterans and first responders facing traumatic brain injury (mTBI), PTSD, depression, and addiction. A New York Times bestselling author, former Marine Corps lieutenant colonel, and two-time cancer survivor, Jay’s own healing through ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT inspired his mission to help others. In just a year, he has raised over $2 million in scholarships and built a model for comprehensive care that includes integration coaching, functional medicine, and data-driven outcomes. Having dedicated his life to service—from combat to healthcare leadership—Jay continues to advocate, mentor, and train with the same ethos that has guided him throughout.
Dr. Martín Polanco is the most experienced physician in North America working with ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT for 25 years, having treated more than 5,000 patients for PTSD, addiction, depression, and traumatic brain injury. Founder of The Mission Within and previously Crossroads Treatment Center, he pioneered safe, trauma-informed models that have shaped the field of psychedelic therapy. His research collaborations with Yale, UT Dell Medical School, and his inclusion in Lucy Walker’s forthcoming documentary, underscore his leadership and impact. Guided by personal healing experiences and a lifelong commitment to compassionate, evidence-based care, Dr. Polanco continues to advance the responsible legalization and accessibility of psychedelic medicine.
Melissa Lavasani is the Founder and CEO of Psychedelic Medicine Coalition (PMC), the only Washington, D.C.–based nonprofit leading the national effort to responsibly integrate psychedelic-assisted therapies into mainstream healthcare. A respected policy innovator, Lavasani has helped catalyze bipartisan momentum in Congress, most notably through the Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence Act and the work of the Congressional PATH Caucus. Her work sits at the intersection of science, policy, and healthcare—building a credible foundation for affordable access, public trust, and lasting systemic change in mental healthcare.
MORE
Psychedelic Medicine Coalition (PMC) is a Washington, D.C.-based, nonpartisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the research, policy, and responsible implementation of psychedelic medicine in U.S. healthcare through federal and state advocacy.
PMC is committed to expanding treatment options by integrating psychedelic medicines into mainstream healthcare through evidence-based policy, strategic partnerships, and public education.
Mission Within Foundation (MWF) advances psychedelic-assisted therapy for veterans and first responders through scholarships, research, and advocacy. The foundation envisions a future where mental health challenges are recognized and treated, and those who have served receive the care they deserve. Founded by Martín Polanco, MD – an ibogaine therapy pioneer for over 25 years – MWF was established after realizing the substantial financial barriers veterans faced to access this life-saving care. Today, MWF provides scholarships for life-changing treatments at legal, pre-vetted facilities.
PUBLIC RSVP
MEDIA RSVP
Marissa Feinberg
[email protected]
917-494-5041