Protecting Veteran Access to Telemedicine Services Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1107
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Passed House
- Latest Action
- 2025-09-16: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-10T16:58:21Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Protecting Veteran Access to Telemedicine Services Act of 2025 aims to expand veterans' access to controlled medications (like prescription painkillers or anxiety drugs regulated by federal law) through telemedicine services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). It removes barriers that previously required an in-person doctor's visit for such prescriptions, making care more convenient while ensuring safety and legal compliance.
Key Provisions
- Authority for Telemedicine Prescriptions: VA-employed health care professionals (and supervised trainees) can deliver, distribute, or dispense controlled substances via telemedicine to eligible veterans, even without an in-person exam, if:
- The professional holds an active, full, and unrestricted state license to prescribe that type of drug.
- They are acting in their normal professional role.
- The prescription is for a legitimate medical need.
- Regulatory Requirements: The VA Secretary must create guidelines and processes to oversee these telemedicine prescriptions, ensuring they follow federal drug laws like the Controlled Substances Act (which regulates drugs to prevent misuse).
- No Impact on Existing Rules: This law does not weaken or change professionals' duties under federal drug control laws; it only applies to VA services for veterans.
- Definitions:
- Covered Health Care Professional: VA employees (e.g., doctors, nurses) or supervised trainees who meet VA hiring standards, hold valid licenses, and follow VA quality policies. Excludes contractors.
- Terms like "controlled substance," "deliver," "dispense," and "distribute" match definitions in the federal Controlled Substances Act.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends Chapter 17 of Title 38, United States Code (which governs VA health care), by adding a new Section 1730D.
- Previously, federal rules (e.g., under the Ryan Haight Act) generally required an in-person exam for telemedicine prescriptions of controlled substances. This act creates an exception specifically for VA professionals treating veterans, aligning with broader VA telemedicine expansions post-COVID-19 but tailored to controlled drugs.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The VA will need to develop new regulations and oversight processes, potentially increasing administrative workload but streamlining veteran care delivery. This could reduce in-person clinic visits, saving resources.
- On Citizens: Veterans, especially those in rural or remote areas, gain easier access to essential medications without travel, improving health outcomes and reducing barriers to mental health or pain management treatment.
- On International Relations: No direct impact, as the law focuses on domestic VA services.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Veterans: Primary beneficiaries, with improved telemedicine access to controlled medications.
- VA Health Care Professionals: Empowered to prescribe via telehealth but must comply with new guidelines and state licensing.
- Department of Veterans Affairs: Responsible for implementation, regulation, and ensuring quality/safety standards.
- Federal Drug Regulators (e.g., DEA): Indirectly involved through enforcement of the Controlled Substances Act.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces telemedicine's role in federal health care while upholding the Controlled Substances Act to prevent drug abuse; could set a precedent for similar exceptions in other federal programs but requires careful regulation to avoid legal challenges over patient safety.
- Constitutional: No major issues, as it operates within Congress's authority over veterans' benefits (Article I, Section 8) and does not infringe on states' rights, given the state licensing requirement.
- Political: Supports bipartisan goals of modernizing VA care and addressing veteran suicide/mental health crises through accessible treatment; may spark debates on balancing access with opioid misuse risks, influencing future drug policy reforms.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (28)
Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-41], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Rep. Bice, Stephanie I. [R-OK-5], Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22], Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2], Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1], Rep. Rogers, Harold [R-KY-5], Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2], Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2], Rep. Fallon, Pat [R-TX-4], Rep. Bresnahan, Robert [R-PA-8], Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Franklin, Scott [R-FL-18], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Moore, Tim [R-NC-14], Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9], Rep. Tran, Derek [D-CA-45], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3], Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17], Rep. Bynum, Janelle S. [D-OR-5], Rep. Vasquez, Gabe [D-NM-2], Rep. Pou, Nellie [D-NJ-9], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3], Rep. McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8]
Recent Actions
- 2025-09-16: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 2025-09-15: The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
- 2025-09-15: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2025-09-15: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4279)
- 2025-09-15: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4279-4280: 1)
- 2025-09-15: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1107.
- 2025-09-15: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4279)
- 2025-09-15: Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 2025-07-29: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 179.
- 2025-07-29: Reported by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-221.
- 2025-07-29: Reported by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-221.
- 2025-05-06: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-03-25: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
- 2025-03-25: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-03-12: Subcommittee Hearings Held
Bill Versions
- Protecting Veteran Access to Telemedicine Services Act of 2025 — issued 2025-09-15 — PDF (6 pages)
- Protecting Veteran Access to Telemedicine Services Act of 2025 — issued 2025-02-06 — PDF (4 pages)
- Protecting Veteran Access to Telemedicine Services Act of 2025 — issued 2025-09-16 — PDF (5 pages)
- Protecting Veteran Access to Telemedicine Services Act of 2025 — issued 2025-07-29 — PDF (8 pages)