PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 817.
Congressional Research Service
Version 01 · Reported to Senate with amendment(s) · Nov 19, 2004
Veterans Prescription Drugs Assistance Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish such drugs and medicines as may be ordered on prescription of a duly licensed physician as specific therapy in the treatment of any illness or injury suffered by each veteran who is receiving additional compensation or allowance due to a service-connected disability, or increased pension as a veteran of a period of war, by reason of being permanently housebound or in need of regular aid and attendance.
Allows any Medicare-eligible veteran to elect to be furnished by the Secretary, on an outpatient basis, such drugs and medicines as ordered on prescription of a duly licensed physician as specific therapy for any illness or injury suffered by the veteran. Requires such election to last for a calendar year and to be irrevocable. Allows for election renewal. Requires appropriate information to be furnished to each veteran prior to such election.
Authorizes the Secretary to administer immunizations to voluntary eligible veterans in connection with the provision of care in any Department of Veterans Affairs health care facility.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
Provides for appropriate copayments for the drugs and medicines received by veterans under authority of this Act.
People & committees
Sen. Specter, Arlen [R-PA] · R–PA
Legislative record
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Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 817.
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Specter with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 108-419. Minority views filed.
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Specter with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 108-419. Minority views filed.
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 108-874.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7148)
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7147-7148)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: May 29, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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