House Subcommittee Considers Womack’s Protecting Veteran Access to Telemedicine Services Act

Washington, DC-September 11, 2024…Today, the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs' Subcommittee on Health considered Congressman Steve Womack's (AR-3) bill, H.R. 9324, theProtecting Veteran Access to Telemedicine Services Act of 2024. At the hearing, Congressman Womack spoke about the importance of the legislation and urged swift passage, which you may watch here.

Congressman Womack said, "This bill seeks to ensure that our nation's veterans-whether in bustling urban centers or the most remote rural areas-have uninterrupted access to healthcare services by permanently extending care right to their homes. I urge my colleagues on this committee to support my bill and act swiftly to pass it. Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our freedom, and it's our duty to ensure they receive the care they have earned in a manner that meets their needs in today's world."

Former Adjutant General of Arkansas, Lieutenant General, (AR) (Ret), Mark Berry said, "Congressman Steve Womack has consistently delivered any time there are issues of concern in our veteran community. His legislation to amend telemedicine policies within the VA is a tremendous necessity for our veterans. I applaud Congressman Womack's dedication to those who have served and sacrificed for this great country."

Background of the Protecting Veteran Access to Telemedicine Services Act:

• The Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act of 2008 went into effect on April 13, 2009. This bill was designed to combat the rogue internet pharmacies that proliferated in the late 90s, selling controlled substances online.
• Under this Act, a practitioner is required to have conducted at least one in-person medical evaluation of the patient, in the physical presence of the practitioner, before issuing a prescription for a controlled substance.
• During the COVID-19 pandemic, requirements under the Ryan Haight Act for a patient to meet with a practitioner in-person for the prescription of a controlled substance were temporarily waived.
• On October 6, 2023, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the continuation of temporary extension of flexibilities around telemedicine prescribing of controlled substances from the COVID-19 public health emergency through December 31, 2024.

Bill Impact on Veterans in Rural Areas:

• According to the VA's Office of Rural Health, there are more than 2.7 million veterans in rural communities who are enrolled in and rely on the VA's health care system.
• Veterans residing in rural areas do not have the same access to VA health care as those in more suburban and urban areas, which can result in poor long-term health outcomes.
• Due to lack of immediate access to VA clinics, veterans residing in rural areas often have difficulty complying with the requirement for one in-person visit to their health care provider under the Ryan Haight Act.
• This bill would reduce disparities and improve access to VA health care for veterans in rural areas by allowing VA health care professionals to prescribe controlled substances via telemedicine.
• If the current exemption expires at the end of the year, veteran access to certain medications classified as a controlled substance will be severely restricted.