DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The head of a state veteran’s home says vets need better access to treatment for post-traumatic stress disorders coupled with substance abuse. Last session, the Legislature asked David Worley, head of the Iowa Veterans Home, to study the need for a treatment program for veterans diagnosed with disorders related to post-traumatic stress disorder , or PTSD.

Worley told House lawmakers Wednesday there is a need, and he stressed that many veterans have difficulty getting to Marshalltown to seek treatment. Legislators didn’t discuss how much a new program would cost, but Worley says federal and state grants might be available. Worley says on average, 20 percent of all combat veterans are eventually diagnosed with PTS which leads to illegal substance abuse.