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Arkansas Lawmaker Files Bill To Help Veterans With Brain Damage

FORT SMITH (KFSM)- A local lawmaker has proposed two bills that aim to help veterans with brain injuries get access to a new treatment and find jobs. One of Rep...

FORT SMITH (KFSM)- A local lawmaker has proposed two bills that aim to help veterans with brain injuries get access to a new treatment and find jobs.

One of Rep. Greg Leding's, D-Fayetteville, bills would allow veterans to receive a new treatment for traumatic brain injuries.

“Essentially what we are trying to do is find a way to find funding for veterans who receive hyperbaric oxygen therapy," Leding said.

The therapy involves a veteran going into a chamber packed with oxygen.

“It can have great benefits for helping heal wounds because the more oxygen there is, the faster the wounds are able to heal," Leding explained. "So there looks to be a very promising future for using hyperbaric oxygen therapy to treat traumatic brain injuries."

Leding said he's also working on a bill that would give tax credits to business that hire veterans who served in active combat since January 2011.

"I think that's a great idea," Sake restaurant owner Pam Rolens said. "It's an incentive to have more businesses down here to take them up on that and give [veterans] some jobs."

According to Leding, Arkansas has a high number of unemployed vets.

"We are trying to find a way when these men and women come home we can help them find employment," Leding said.

Leding said he hopes to see the two bills become laws in the next few months.

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