ACE Veterans Act
This introduced Senate bill, the ACE Veterans Act, would amend Title 38 to require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to offer a full-year supply of certain contraception to eligible veterans. Specifically, for veterans enrolled in VA health care who are prescribed contraceptive pills, transdermal patches, vaginal rings, or other contraceptive products by a VA medical provider, the VA must allow them to fill the prescription for a full year. VA providers must inform patients of this option. The bill broadens the definition of “contraceptive product” to include any FDA- or PHS-Act-approved drug, device, or biological product intended to prevent pregnancy. This change would be added as new Sec. 1720M to Chapter 17 of Title 38. In short, the bill aims to make a year’s worth of contraception available at once to veterans who need it, with a requirement that VA clinicians inform eligible patients about this option. It seeks to improve access and potentially adherence by reducing the need for frequent refills, while expanding the range of products covered under VA care.
Key Points
- 1Creates new Sec. 1720M in Chapter 17 (full-year supply) and grants the VA Secretary authority to offer a full-year supply of contraceptives to eligible veterans.
- 2Eligibility: applies to veterans enrolled in the VA health system under the annual enrollment framework (section 1705) who have a contraception prescription from a VA medical provider.
- 3Provider obligation: VA prescribers must notify eligible veterans about the option to obtain a full-year supply.
- 4Product scope: defines “contraceptive product” broadly to include any FDA- or PHS-Act-approved drug, device, or biological product intended to prevent pregnancy.
- 5Administrative change: adds the new section to the official table of sections in Chapter 17, making the policy an established part of the code (even though still subject to implementation details).