Sponsors (29)
The bill expands VA teleprescribing to improve access and efficiency for veterans while keeping legal safeguards, but it raises meaningful risks of diversion, may reduce in-person assessments for some patients, and will require additional VA oversight and administrative costs.
Veterans, especially those who are homebound or living in rural areas, can receive prescribed controlled medications remotely when clinically appropriate, improving timely access to care.
VA clinicians and veterans face reduced travel time and appointment burdens because ongoing treatment can be managed more efficiently via telemedicine.
Providers remain subject to the Controlled Substances Act obligations, preserving legal safeguards intended to limit diversion and misuse even when prescribing remotely.
Veterans and other patients with chronic conditions face increased risk of diversion or inappropriate prescribing if remote prescribing lacks adequate oversight and monitoring.
Some veterans who prefer or need in-person exams may receive less comprehensive physical assessments because the in-person requirement is removed for remote prescribing.
Taxpayers and federal employees may bear higher administrative and compliance costs as the VA develops and enforces new regulations and monitoring systems for expanded teleprescribing.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Authorizes VA clinicians to deliver, distribute, or dispense controlled substances via telemedicine without a prior in-person exam when state licensure and legitimate medical-purpose requirements are met and VA issues regulations.
Allows VA health care professionals to prescribe, deliver, or dispense controlled substances to eligible VA patients by telemedicine without a prior in-person medical exam, provided the provider holds an active, full state license/registration/certification and the prescription is for a legitimate medical purpose. The VA Secretary must issue regulations setting guidelines and a process for these telemedicine practices while preserving obligations under the federal Controlled Substances Act. This change applies to specified VA employees and supervised health professions trainees, incorporates standard CSA definitions for controlled-substance terms, and adds a new statutory section authorizing the practice and directing a conforming table amendment.
Introduced February 6, 2025 by Steve Womack · Last progress September 16, 2025