S. 3314: Written Informed Consent Act

This bill, known as the Written Informed Consent Act, aims to ensure that veterans receive updated and comprehensive informed consent information regarding certain medications. Specifically, it directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to modify an existing directive related to informed consent for long-term opioid therapy to also include additional categories of medications.

Key Components of the Bill

• Expansion of Informed Consent Requirements: The bill expands the requirements set forth in directive 1005 of the Veterans Health Administration, which is currently focused on opioids, to include several other types of medications.
• Types of Medications Included: The specific categories of medications that will now require informed consent include:
  • Antipsychotics
  • Stimulants
  • Antidepressants
  • Anxiolytics
  • Narcotics
• Objective: The main goal of these changes is to ensure that veterans are fully informed about the medications they are prescribed, including the potential risks and benefits, enabling them to make better decisions regarding their own health care.
• Implementation: The changes are intended to enhance the quality of care for veterans by providing clearer communication about treatment options and the implications of using various medications.

Impact on Veterans

By formalizing the requirement for informed consent for these additional medication types, veterans will likely have more transparency and understanding of their treatments. This could lead to improved patient engagement and potentially better health outcomes as veterans will have more information to weigh their options in collaboration with their health care providers.

Relevant Companies

None found