H.R. 1107: Protecting Veteran Access to Telemedicine Services Act of 2025

This bill, titled the Protecting Veteran Access to Telemedicine Services Act of 2025, aims to improve veterans' access to certain health care services by allowing specific health care professionals employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide controlled substances via telemedicine. Here’s a breakdown of what the bill proposes:

Key Provisions of the Bill

• Telemedicine Authorization: The bill allows qualified health care professionals from the VA to use telemedicine to deliver, distribute, or dispense prescription drugs classified as controlled substances to veterans. This can occur without the need for prior in-person examinations, given certain conditions are met.
• Conditions for Telemedicine Use:
  • The health care professional must hold an active and valid state license that permits them to prescribe controlled substances.
  • The professional must be acting within their professional practice and for legitimate medical purposes.
• Regulatory Guidelines: The bill mandates that the Secretary of the VA must create regulations and guidelines that outline the processes for how these controlled substances can be prescribed via telemedicine.
• Protection of Existing Obligations: The legislation includes a provision clarifying that it does not relieve health care professionals of their responsibilities under the Controlled Substances Act.
• Definitions of Terms: The bill provides clear definitions for terms such as "controlled substance", "deliver", "dispense", and details the types of health care professionals eligible to participate in this telemedicine program.

Eligible Health Care Professionals

The term "covered health care professional" refers to those who are:

• Employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs with specific appointments or qualifications.
• Authorized to provide health care under VA regulations.
• Required to follow all applicable standards and regulations for quality in health care service delivery.
• Holds the necessary licenses or certifications as mandated by the Secretary of the VA.

Rationale for the Bill

The legislation is intended to enhance accessibility to medications for veterans, particularly those who may have difficulty accessing in-person medical care. By leveraging telemedicine, it aims to streamline the prescription process for controlled substances that veterans may need for various health conditions.

Relevant Companies

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