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States and advocates press VA to reimburse high‑cost drugs for veterans in state homes
Summary
State veterans homes and associations testified that current VA rules prevent reimbursement for high‑cost medications administered in state veterans homes, forcing some homes to absorb costs or deny placement; witnesses urged passage of the Providing Veterans Essential Medications Act to align reimbursement with private nursing homes.
State veterans homes, associations and committee witnesses told the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health that a reimbursement disparity prevents many state homes from admitting veterans who require very high‑cost medications.
Ed Harries, president of the National Association of State Veterans Homes, described multiple cases in which state homes could not be reimbursed under current VA policy for expensive oncology and specialty medications that private nursing homes can obtain reimbursement for when under VA contract. "This legislation would require VA to furnish and reimburse state veterans homes these high cost medications, just like they are doing for the private homes," Harries said, arguing the change would let veterans choose state homes without forcing the homes to carry significant operating losses.
The nut graf: witnesses provided concrete examples. Harries described an Iowa veteran with Crohn's disease whose medication costs about $20,000 per month and an Idaho veteran taking a drug that costs roughly $16,000 per month; both homes reportedly provided care at a substantial loss or were constrained from admitting veterans who need such therapies. In one Wisconsin example, a state home was told by VA it could not accept donated or patient‑assistance program medications and was advised to dispose of sealed, ship‑to‑home chemotherapy instead of administering it.
VA witnesses said they were open to discussions but did not support the Providing Veterans Essential Medications Act as drafted, noting statutory or administrative constraints and expressing a desire to discuss implementation details with the committee.
Ending: Witnesses urged Congress to correct the reimbursement inequity to ensure veterans can reside in state veterans homes regardless of medication cost; the committee heard specifics and requested further engagement with VA on implementation mechanics.
