Protecting Veteran Access to Telemedicine Services Act of 2025

Floor Speech

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Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1107) to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize certain heath care professionals employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs to deliver, distribute, or dispense to veterans certain controlled medications via telemedicine under certain conditions, and for other purposes, as amended.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 1107

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Protecting Veteran Access to Telemedicine Services Act of 2025''. SEC. 2. DELIVERY, DISTRIBUTION, AND DISPENSATION OF CONTROLLED MEDICATIONS BY COVERED DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS VIA TELEMEDICINE.

Subchapter III of chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section (and conforming the table of sections at the beginning of such chapter accordingly): ``Sec. 1730D. Delivery, distribution, and dispensation of

controlled medications via telemedicine

``(a) In General.--Pursuant to section 1730C of this title and subject to the requirements of title II of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 (21 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), a covered health care professional may use telemedicine to deliver, distribute, or dispense to a patient eligible to receive medical treatment under this chapter a controlled substance that is a prescription drug as determined under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.) regardless of whether such covered health care professional has conducted an in-person medical examination of such patient if--

``(1) such covered health care professional is--

``(A) authorized to prescribe the basic class of such controlled substance under an active, current, full, and unrestricted State license, registration, or certification; and

``(B) acting in the usual course of professional practice; and

``(2) such substance is delivered, distributed, or dispensed for a legitimate medical purpose.

``(b) Regulations.--The Secretary shall establish in regulations guidelines and a process for the delivery, distribution, and dispensation of a controlled substance pursuant to subsection (a).

``(c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be construed to remove, limit, or otherwise affect any obligation of a covered health care professional under the Controlled Substances Act.

``(d) Definitions.-- In this section:

``(1) The terms `controlled substance', `deliver', `dispense', and `distribute' have the meanings given such terms in section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act, respectively.

``(2) The term `covered health care professional' means--

``(A) a health care professional who--

``(i) is an employee of the Department appointed under section 7306, 7401, 7405, 7406, or 7408 of this title or under title 5;

``(ii) is not a contractor of the Department;

``(iii) is authorized by the Secretary to provide health care under this chapter;

``(iv) is required to adhere to all standards for quality relating to the provision of health care in accordance with applicable policies of the Department;

``(v) has an active, current, full, and unrestricted license, registration, or certification or meet qualification standards set forth by the Secretary within a specified time frame; and

``(vi) with respect to a health care profession listed under section 7402(b) of this title, has the qualifications for such profession as set forth by the Secretary; and

``(B) a health professions trainee who--

``(i) is appointed under section 7405 of this title; and

``(ii) is under the clinical supervision of a health care professional described in subparagraph (A).''.

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Mr. BOST. 1107, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1107 offered by Representative Womack.

This bill would allow telemedicine prescriptions for controlled substances at VA even before an in-person medical exam.

During the COVID pandemic, VA waived requirements for an in-person appointment. As a result, providers could prescribe controlled substances by telemedicine. This waiver was helpful for continuity of care during the pandemic.

We also realized that many veterans received more access than before due to this waiver. I cannot tell you how many times veterans in rural areas have told me stories about hours they have to drive to receive care or a prescription from the VA.

Representative Womack's bill would close the loop and modernize the delivery of prescriptions by making the current waiver permanent.

While telemedicine will never totally replace in-person care, the VA must be granted the tools to deliver 21st century healthcare. This bill would remove burdens on veterans who need VA care so they can get it sooner by telemedicine.

I will continue to do whatever I can to ease access to care and critical treatment for veterans living in rural areas of this country. This bill would give VA power to meet the moment and the use of the latest medicine and technology for veterans.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R.

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Mr. BOST.

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Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, once again, I encourage all Members to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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