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.

# HR 5999 Summary **What the Bill Would Do** This bill would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide opioid antagonists—medications like naloxone (Narcan) that reverse opioid overdoses—to veterans at no cost and without requiring a prescription. Currently, veterans may need to obtain these life-saving medications through other channels or pay out-of-pocket. The bill aims to make these overdose-reversal drugs more readily available to veterans struggling with opioid use. **Who It Affects** The bill primarily affects veterans who are at risk of opioid overdose or addiction.

It also impacts the VA, which would need to implement the new distribution policy. This addresses a public health concern, as veterans experience opioid addiction and overdose at elevated rates compared to the general population. **Current Status** HR 5999 is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives. It was introduced by Representative Herbert Conaway (D-NJ) in the 119th Congress.