Veterans could get opioid overdose reversal medicine from the VA without a prescription or copay. The bill removes two common barriers: needing a doctor’s order and paying an out-of-pocket fee.
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To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish an opioid antagonist to a veteran without requiring a prescription or copayment. is a House bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Latest action on H.R. 5999: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Who this affects: This bill mainly affects veterans who may need opioid overdose reversal medicine from the VA. It also matters for family members and caregivers who may need to use the medicine during an emergency. VA pharmacies and health staff would need to set up ways to provide the medicine without a prescription or copay.
Why this matters: Opioid overdoses can become deadly within minutes, and this bill could put reversal medicine in more veterans’ hands before an emergency. Removing the prescription step could save time. Removing the copay could help veterans who avoid care because of cost. The bill’s full cost and health impact are unclear because it leaves key details to the VA.
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