Sheehy Introduces Pro-Veteran Bill to Prevent Overprescription at the VA

U.S. SENATE – Senator Tim Sheehy introduced the Written Informed Consent Act, a bill aimed at ensuring veterans are aware of the intended and side effects of certain high-risk drugs they are prescribed and curtailing pervasive overprescription within the VA.

“America’s veterans put their lives on the line in defense of our nation and our freedoms. It’s our job in D.C. to ensure they have the information, support, and care they need to thrive and prosper when they return home. This bill is a commonsense step toward empowering veterans to make informed decisions about their own medical care, and I’m proud to be leading it in the Senate,” said Senator Sheehy.

Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) joined Senator Sheehy in introducing the Written Informed Consent Act, and the bill’s companion in the House of Representatives was introduced by Representative Gus Bilirakis in August.

The Written Informed Consent Act is supported by the American Legion, VFW, IAVA, DAV, Jewish War Veterans, Reserve Officers Association, Association of the United States Navy, Special Operations Association of America, Military-Veteran Advocacy, Fleet Reserves Association, Navy SEAL Foundation, Vietnam Veterans of America, Air Force Sergeants Association, Grunt Style, American Veterans, Military Order of the Purple Heart, and Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors.

Background:

The average veteran utilizing VA healthcare receives nearly 30 prescriptions per year, and more than 64 percent of veterans using VA healthcare receive at least one duplicative prescription. Many of these drugs, specifically antipsychotics, stimulants, antidepressants, anxiolytics, and narcotics, carry the side effect of suicidal ideation. Veteran suicide rates have increased by more than 49 percent since 2001.

During the first Trump Administration, VA Secretary David Shulkin mandated that written informed consent (WIC) be applied to “long-term opioids.” By 2023, the number of veterans prescribed opioids was 67 percent lower than in 2012. WIC is an effective tool in ensuring that veterans are cognizant of the risks associated with certain drugs and curbing their overprescription.

This Written Informed Consent Act amends VHA Directive 1005 (dated May 13, 2020, and titled “Informed Consent for Long-term Opioid Therapy for Pain”) to apply to the following types of medication: antipsychotics, stimulants, antidepressants, anxiolytics, and narcotics. Thus, when VHA prescribes one of these types of medications to a veteran, they first need a signed consent form from the veteran stating that they have been informed of all known side effects.

Read more on the bill HERE. Read the full text of the bill HERE.