Veterans Prescription Drugs Assistance Act

Bill: 108-s-1153
Sponsor: Sen. Specter, Arlen [R-PA]
Introduced: 2003-05-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Coinsurance
Dental care
Drugs
Government Operations and Politics
Government publicity
Health
Medical economics
Medicare
Prescription pricing
Social Welfare
Vaccination
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2003-05-23
text: 
Veterans Prescription Drugs Assistance Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish such drugs and medicines as may be ordered on prescription of a duly licensed physician as specific therapy in the treatment of any illness or injury suffered by each veteran who is receiving additional compensation or allowance due to a service-connected disability, or increased pension as a veteran of a period of war, by reason of being permanently housebound or in need of regular aid and attendance.
 
Allows any Medicare-eligible veteran to elect to be furnished by the Secretary, on an outpatient basis, such drugs and medicines as ordered on prescription of a duly licensed physician as specific therapy for any illness or injury suffered by the veteran. Requires such election to last for a calendar year and to be irrevocable. Allows for election renewal. Requires appropriate information to be furnished to each veteran prior to such election.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to administer immunizations to voluntary eligible veterans in connection with the provision of care in any Department of Veterans Affairs health care facility.
 
Provides for appropriate copayments for the drugs and medicines received by veterans under authority of this Act.

action_date: 2004-11-19
text: 
Veterans Prescription Drugs Assistance Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish such drugs and medicines as may be ordered on prescription of a duly licensed physician as specific therapy in the treatment of any illness or injury suffered by each veteran who is receiving additional compensation or allowance due to a service-connected disability, or increased pension as a veteran of a period of war, by reason of being permanently housebound or in need of regular aid and attendance.
 
Allows any Medicare-eligible veteran to elect to be furnished by the Secretary, on an outpatient basis, such drugs and medicines as ordered on prescription of a duly licensed physician as specific therapy for any illness or injury suffered by the veteran. Requires such election to last for a calendar year and to be irrevocable. Allows for election renewal. Requires appropriate information to be furnished to each veteran prior to such election.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to administer immunizations to voluntary eligible veterans in connection with the provision of care in any Department of Veterans Affairs health care facility.
 
Provides for appropriate copayments for the drugs and medicines received by veterans under authority of this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-11-19
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 817.
action_date: 2004-11-19
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Specter with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 108-419. Minority views filed.
action_date: 2004-11-19
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Specter with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 108-419. Minority views filed.
action_date: 2004-07-20
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2004-06-22
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
action_date: 2003-05-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (text of measure as introduced:  CR S7148)
action_date: 2003-05-23
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7147-7148)
action_date: 2003-05-23
text: Introduced in Senate