Veterans HOPE Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 5919
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-11-04: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-08T17:51:42Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Veterans HOPE Act (H.R. 5919) aims to address the rising rates of opioid overdose deaths among veterans by directing the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to conduct a detailed review of such deaths. It seeks to identify patterns, evaluate VA prescribing practices, and recommend ways to enhance prevention efforts, particularly for overdoses from non-prescription sources like heroin and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl.
Key Provisions
- Congressional Findings and Sense of Congress: The bill outlines data showing a sharp increase in veteran opioid overdose deaths from 2010 to 2016 (65% overall rise), driven largely by non-prescription opioids. It notes that VA patients are seven times more likely to have opioid use disorder than those with commercial insurance. Congress emphasizes that prevention should target veterans beyond those currently prescribed opioids.
- Required Review by VA Secretary: Within 18 months of enactment, the VA must review all opioid overdose deaths among "covered veterans" (those who received VA hospital care or medical services in the five years before death) over the prior five-year period. The review must cover:
- Total number of deaths and demographics (age, sex, race, ethnicity).
- Medications prescribed or found in the body at death, focusing on those with "black box warnings" (strong FDA alerts for serious risks like death), off-label uses (prescribed for unapproved purposes), or psychotropic drugs (affecting mood or behavior).
- Medical diagnoses leading to prescriptions, instances of multiple concurrent medications from VA doctors, and time elapsed since the last prescription opioid.
- Causes of death, percentage with combat experience or trauma (e.g., military sexual trauma, traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder).
- VA facilities with high rates of opioid prescriptions or drug abuse treatment.
- VA policies on prescribing risky medications, efforts to track and dispose of unused or expired prescription opioids.
- Identified patterns and recommendations for improving veteran safety, including research on overdoses without recent prescriptions.
- Reporting Requirements: Within 45 days of completing the review, the VA must submit a report to Congress, make it publicly available, and brief the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new, one-time mandate for a comprehensive VA review of recent opioid overdose deaths among veterans, including detailed data analysis not previously required by statute. It expands focus from prescription opioids to non-prescription sources, building on existing VA efforts to curb opioid misuse but without altering current prescribing laws directly.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The VA will face resource demands to compile and analyze data from health records and death indices, potentially leading to updated internal policies on opioid tracking, disposal, and trauma-informed care. Congress may use the findings to inform future funding or legislation.
- On Citizens: Veterans, especially those with trauma histories or at high-risk VA facilities, could benefit from targeted prevention strategies, reducing overdose risks. Families of deceased veterans may gain insights into causes through the public report.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic VA operations and U.S. veteran health.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Veterans: Primary beneficiaries, particularly those receiving VA care, as the review targets overdose prevention and safety improvements.
- Department of Veterans Affairs: Responsible for conducting the review, reporting, and implementing any resulting recommendations.
- Congress: Receives reports and briefings to guide oversight and policy on veteran health.
- Healthcare Providers in VA: Affected by scrutiny of prescribing practices, potentially leading to stricter guidelines.
- Veteran Advocacy Groups: May use the public report to advocate for better mental health and addiction services.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill imposes a clear deadline and specific data requirements on the VA, enforceable through congressional oversight, but includes no new penalties or funding. It defines key terms like "black box warning" to ensure clarity without broadening liability for VA prescribers.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority to regulate federal agencies like the VA and provide for veterans' welfare (under Article I), raising no apparent free speech, privacy, or due process concerns, as it uses existing VA records.
- Political: Highlights bipartisan concern over the opioid crisis in veteran communities, potentially pressuring the VA to address non-prescription drug access and trauma care. The public report could spark debates on expanding VA mental health resources or linking military service to addiction risks, influencing future appropriations.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Murphy, Gregory F. [R-NC-3]
Cosponsors (4)
Rep. Courtney, Joe [D-CT-2], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Gillen, Laura [D-NY-4], Rep. Tran, Derek [D-CA-45]
Recent Actions
- 2025-11-04: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 2025-11-04: Introduced in House
- 2025-11-04: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Veterans Heroin Overdose Prevention Examination Act — issued 2025-11-04 — PDF (6 pages)