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Congress·In Committee·H.R. 5999

Rep. Conaway Proposes Making Overdose Reversal Drugs Free for Veterans Without a Prescription

To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish an opioid antagonist to a veteran without requiring a prescription or copayment.

2 months ago·View on Congress.gov·Read full text

This bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process and is being reviewed by the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. It recently had a subcommittee hearing, which shows that the bill is actively moving forward. There are no further actions scheduled at this time.

Legislative Progress

House
Senate
President
Law

Key Points

  • This bill would require the VA to give veterans opioid antagonists — medications like naloxone (Narcan) that can reverse an opioid overdose — without needing a doctor's prescription first.

    From policy text

    “The Secretary shall furnish an opioid antagonist to a veteran without requiring a prescription.”
    View in full text
  • The bill eliminates all copayments for opioid antagonists, meaning veterans would pay nothing out of pocket for this life-saving medication.
  • The legislation amends title 38 of the U.S. Code by adding a new section specifically dedicated to opioid antagonists, creating a permanent legal requirement for the VA to provide these drugs.

    From policy text

    “Subchapter II of chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section”
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  • By removing both the prescription requirement and the cost barrier, the bill aims to make it much easier for veterans to have overdose reversal drugs on hand in case of emergency, potentially reducing veteran overdose deaths.
HealthcareVeterans

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

3 milestones4 actions
Jan 13, 2026House

Subcommittee Hearings Held

Nov 17, 2025House

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Nov 10, 2025House

Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Nov 10, 2025

Introduced in House

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish an opioid antagonist to a veteran without requiring a prescription or copayment.

Bill NumberHR 5999
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionSubcommittee Hearings Held
Read Full Bill Text

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(2)
D: 1R: 1

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.