Veterans Prescription Drug Benefits Act of 2003

Bill: 108-hr-1309
Sponsor: Rep. Evans, Lane [D-IL-17]
Introduced: 2003-03-18 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Coinsurance
Collection of accounts
Computers
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Data banks
Drug interactions
Drugs
Economics and Public Finance
Electronic government information
Finance and Financial Sector
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Government trust funds
Health
Insurance premiums
Medical economics
Medical records
Medicare
Prescription pricing
Science, Technology, Communications
Social Welfare
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Veterans Prescription Drug Benefits Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a prescription drug benefit program under which drugs and medicines are furnished to eligible veterans on prescription of a duly licensed physician or other authorized health care professional who is not an employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs, subject to the payment of any required premium and copayment. Makes eligible for the program Priority 1 veterans (those with service-connected disabilities rated 50 percent or more) and Medicare-eligible veterans. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to reimburse the Secretary for the costs of drugs and medicine furnished to the Medicare-eligible veterans under the program.
Requires the Secretary to: (1) develop and maintain a database of veterans who enrolled in and applied for the program; and (2) implement a computerized patient profile system for program participants.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-03-26
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2003-03-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2003-03-24
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E496-497)
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Introduced in House