The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Protecting Veteran Access to Telemedicine Services Act of 2025, a bill introduced by Congressman Steve Womack of Arkansas’s 3rd District. The legislation aims to maintain and expand veterans’ access to telemedicine services, particularly regarding prescriptions for controlled substances.
“With the House’s passage of this legislation, we are one step closer to maintaining access for our veterans to life-saving medication. Our nation’s veterans have made countless sacrifices in defense of our country and should not face unnecessary roadblocks when seeking healthcare,” said Congressman Womack.
He added, “As this Administration works to improve the speed, accessibility, and efficiency of our national veteran care, this bill will make a positive impact on our service members and their families. I’m proud that my colleagues in the House recognize the urgency and importance of this issue and have taken decisive action to address it. I now urge our partners in the Senate to take up this cause and send it to the President’s desk.”
The bill would permanently authorize an exemption allowing Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare professionals to prescribe medically necessary controlled substances via telemedicine under certain conditions, even if they have not conducted an in-person examination. This builds on temporary waivers put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act of 2008 requires practitioners to conduct at least one in-person medical evaluation before prescribing controlled substances. However, during the pandemic these requirements were temporarily lifted. In November 2024, federal agencies extended these flexibilities through December 31, 2025.
Telehealth has become increasingly important for veterans living in rural areas who may lack immediate access to VA clinics. More than 2.7 million rural veterans often face difficulties meeting current requirements for an in-person visit before receiving prescriptions for controlled substances. If current exemptions expire at year-end, many veterans could lose access to necessary medications.
Congressman Womack has represented Arkansas’s 3rd District since replacing John Boozman in Congress in 2011 (https://womack.house.gov/biography/). He was born in Russellville, Arkansas in 1957 and currently resides in Rogers.
A summary and full text of the bill are available online.
