Senator Tim Sheehy has introduced the Written Informed Consent Act, a bill designed to address concerns about overprescription of high-risk medications to veterans within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system. The legislation seeks to ensure that veterans are fully informed about both the intended effects and potential side effects of certain drugs before they are prescribed.
“America’s veterans put their lives on the line in defense of our nation and our freedoms. It’s our job in D.C. to ensure they have the information, support, and care they need to thrive and prosper when they return home. This bill is a commonsense step toward empowering veterans to make informed decisions about their own medical care, and I’m proud to be leading it in the Senate,” said Senator Sheehy.
Senator Tommy Tuberville has joined as a co-sponsor in the Senate, while Representative Gus Bilirakis introduced a companion version of the bill in the House earlier this year.
The legislation is supported by several organizations representing veterans, including American Legion, VFW, IAVA, DAV, Jewish War Veterans, Reserve Officers Association, Association of the United States Navy, Special Operations Association of America, Military-Veteran Advocacy, Fleet Reserves Association, Navy SEAL Foundation, Vietnam Veterans of America, Air Force Sergeants Association, Grunt Style, American Veterans, Military Order of the Purple Heart and Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors.
According to background information provided with the bill announcement, VA healthcare users receive an average of nearly 30 prescriptions annually. More than 64 percent receive at least one duplicative prescription. Many prescribed drugs—such as antipsychotics, stimulants, antidepressants, anxiolytics and narcotics—can carry risks like suicidal ideation. Since 2001 veteran suicide rates have risen by more than 49 percent.
A previous mandate during President Trump’s administration required written informed consent for long-term opioid use among veterans. By 2023 this policy was associated with a 67 percent reduction in opioid prescriptions compared to 2012 levels.
The new act would amend existing VA policy so that written informed consent must also be obtained before prescribing antipsychotics, stimulants, antidepressants or anxiolytics—not just opioids—to veterans. This means that before receiving these medications from VA providers under VHA Directive 1005 (dated May 13, 2020), veterans would sign a form acknowledging awareness of all known side effects.
Further details on the bill can be found through official legislative resources online.
