River Bend Times

Representatives Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Chris Pappas have reintroduced the Providing Veterans Essential Medications Act. This legislation aims to increase access to costly medications for severely disabled veterans residing in State Veterans Homes. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) currently does not reimburse these homes for high-cost medications that are covered outside their facilities.

"As a 24-year veteran and physician, it is critical to increase access to life-saving medication for our veterans," stated Rep. Miller-Meeks. "Our bill would mandate the VA reimburse State Veterans Homes for the cost of expensive, previously prescribed medications – or furnish them - so veterans can continue to receive the care they need and deserve."

Rep. Pappas emphasized, "We have a solemn obligation to ensure the needs of our veterans are met at every corner." He added that this bipartisan legislation will address a VA medication reimbursement gap, ensuring that State Veterans Homes can meet all veterans' needs, including those at New Hampshire's Tilton facility.

Following the PACT act's passage, there has been an increase in veterans adjudicated as severely disabled. While VA pays a per diem for these individuals, it does not cover extremely high-cost medications that often exceed $1000 daily. These drugs include revolutionary cancer treatments that significantly improve life expectancy and quality of life.

The Providing Veterans Essential Medications Act proposes that when a severely disabled veteran requires such medications, the VA should either pay for them or supply them directly to State Veterans Homes. This measure encourages these homes to expand their services for severely disabled veterans.

Rep. Miller-Meeks has utilized her role as Chairwoman of the Committee on Veterans Affairs’ Subcommittee on Health to address critical issues like substance use disorder and mental health therapies. She has also sponsored legislation aimed at improving residential rehabilitation treatment programs and expanding long-term care options.

State Veterans Homes offer states an opportunity to provide housing and medical care while alleviating pressure from the VA system. Congress supports these facilities through programs reimbursing states for some provided care.