PITTSBURGH (Newsradio KDKA) - Statistics show an average of 22 U.S. veterans commit suicide each day in this country.
Congressman Scott Perry, of Pennsylvania's 10th Congressional District, wants to change that number. He is sponsoring a bill that would allow veterans who suffer from PTSD to be eligible for an injection - known as SGB therapy - that can relieve their PTSD symptoms.
"If you can take an injection that lasts a few minutes, and it clears this up for you, it just doesn't make sense to me, what are we waiting for?" Perry said Wednesday during the KDKA Radio Morning Show.
The VA already uses the treatment, and fully acknowledges the safety of the remedy, "but they only use it, Larry and Kevin, in a couple locations of the numerous VA locations across the country," said Perry.
The VA currently requires veterans to fail at every methodology to relieve their issues associated with PTSD before they can receive this shot.
The bill would give the treatment to veterans who ask for the therapy.
"It should not be exclusive to them. There are people in society that suffer with PTS injuries," Perry adds.
The shot is 85% effective.
Listen to the full interview above to learn more.