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S5497119th CongressWALLET

Providing Veterans Essential Medications Act

Sponsored By: Senator King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]

Introduced

Summary

Creates an optional VA reimbursement or direct-supply path for high-cost medications given to veterans in State veterans homes. It sets a cost threshold so only drugs that are unusually expensive relative to the home's monthly payment qualify.

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  • Veterans in State homes: Residents needing very expensive drugs would get those medicines covered or supplied by the VA when the drug's cost exceeds the threshold, reducing the home's immediate drug expense.
  • State veterans homes: Homes can elect each month whether to have the VA reimburse them or to have the VA directly furnish the costly medication when a one-month supply's average wholesale price plus a 3% transaction fee is greater than 8.5% of the home's payment for that veteran.
  • Department of Veterans Affairs: The VA would operate this optional payment or furnishing mechanism alongside existing payments, limited to medications that meet the defined cost test.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Drug cost help for State home veterans

If enacted, the VA would be able to reimburse a State veterans home for a high-cost drug or furnish that drug to the home. This would be in addition to the usual monthly payment the VA makes to the home. A drug would be "costly" for a month if its one-month average wholesale price plus a 3% transaction fee is greater than 8.5% of the VA's monthly payment to the home for that veteran. The home must be providing nursing care under a VA contract and must choose the reimbursement or furnishing option for that month.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]

ME • I

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Banks, Jim [R-IN]

    IN • R

    Sponsored 9/24/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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