H.R. 3832 – Veterans Opioid Abuse Prevention Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 15, 2026 at 6:24 PM UTC

The Veterans Opioid Abuse Prevention Act would let Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health‑care providers and their authorized assistants query any state’s prescription‑drug monitoring program. The goal is to help VA clinicians prescribe controlled substances safely for veterans who are not in hospice or palliative care, thereby reducing opioid misuse.

Key Provisions

VA‑licensed providers and their delegates are treated as authorized users of the nationwide network of state prescription‑drug monitoring programs.
States may not block or limit VA providers’ access to their monitoring programs, nor may they punish providers (e.g., revoke licenses) for querying the data.
Providers must follow VA regulations when accessing the data.
A “covered patient” is defined as a veteran who receives a prescription for a controlled substance and is not in hospice or palliative care.
Key terms such as “controlled substance,” “delegate,” and “national network of State‑based prescription monitoring programs” are defined for clarity.

Legislative Activity

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18 earlier actions

SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

May 22, 2018

View full timeline

HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

September 26, 2017

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

September 26, 2017

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Health Subcommittee

September 26, 2017

HouseCommittee

Subcommittee Hearings Held.

Health Subcommittee

April 17, 2018

HouseCommittee

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

May 8, 2018

HouseCommittee

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

May 8, 2018

HouseCommittee

Subcommittee on Health Discharged.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

May 8, 2018

HouseCommittee

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 115-684.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

May 18, 2018

HouseCalendars

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 527.

May 18, 2018

HouseFloor

Mr. Dunn moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

May 21, 2018 • 3:19 PM

HouseFloor

Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4250-4251)

May 21, 2018 • 3:20 PM

HouseFloor

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3832.

May 21, 2018 • 3:20 PM

HouseFloor

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

May 21, 2018 • 3:25 PM

HouseFloor

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4268-4269)

May 21, 2018 • 7:09 PM

HouseFloor

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 377 - 2 (Roll no. 209).(text: CR H4250-4251)

View vote Passed

May 21, 2018 • 7:17 PM

HouseFloor

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 377 - 2 (Roll no. 209). (text: CR H4250-4251)

View vote Passed

May 21, 2018 • 7:17 PM

HouseFloor

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

May 21, 2018 • 7:17 PM

HouseFloor

The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.

May 21, 2018 • 7:17 PM

SenateIntro Referral

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

May 22, 2018

Voting History

1 vote recorded • Roll call available

HOUSE

Roll Call Available

May 21, 2018 at 7:16 PM

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended

Majority required: 2/3 (66.7%)

Passed

377 - 2

Floor Debate

9 members

What members said about H.R. 3832 on the floor

+4

4 Republicans5 Democrats

Rep. Neal P. DunnR-FL-2 · May 21, 2018

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3832) to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the executive director of a…

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3832) to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the executive director of a national network of State-based prescription monitoring programs under which Department of Veterans Affairs health care providers shall query such network, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material into the Record on H.R. 3832, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my legislation, H.R. 3832, as amended, the Veterans Opioid Abuse Prevention Act. More than 140 individuals every day are dying from opioid abuse in the United States, and opioids have resulted in the deaths of more Americans than the Iraq, Afghanistan, and Vietnam wars put together over the same period of time.

Unfortunately, the news is even worse for our veterans. Former VA Secretary McDonald stated: Veterans are 10 times more likely to abuse opioids than the average American, and that is among the leading cause of homelessness among veterans.

In 2016 alone, the VA treated 66,000 veterans for opioid addiction. Mr. Speaker, it is clear that we are failing our Nation's heroes, and, frankly, that is unacceptable.

That is why I introduced the Veterans Opioid Prevention Act, to ensure that no veteran slips through the cracks. My bill increases opioid prescribing transparency at the VA and allows Veterans Administration doctors to do what most private sector doctors are already doing. They access State databases listing all opioid prescriptions from all providers. This allows physicians to easily identify patterns of opioid use that puts patients at risk for addiction. Once physicians are able to accurately identify patterns of use and abuse, we can curb this epidemic and ensure our veterans are getting the best possible care.

Mr. Speaker, as a veteran and a doctor, I take my responsibility to serve those who fought for our freedoms very seriously. We can do more for our veterans, and we must do more to support them and to protect them.

I believe my Veterans Opioid Prevention Act does exactly that. I urge all of my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, once again, I encourage all Members to support H.R. 3832, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Rep. Sheila Jackson LeeD-TX-18 · May 21, 2018

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3832, the Veterans Opioid Abuse Prevention Act. Mr. Speaker, it is undeniable that our military veterans deserve our deepest gratitude for the courage…

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3832, the Veterans Opioid Abuse Prevention Act.

Mr. Speaker, it is undeniable that our military veterans deserve our deepest gratitude for the courage and valor they demonstrate while defending the United States of America.

H.R. 3832 directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the executive director of a national network of State-based prescription monitoring programs under which Department of Veterans Affairs health care providers shall query the network in order to prevent opioid abuse.

Veterans are truly heroes walking among us and they deserve our utmost respect as well as assistance in any recovery or treatment they require.

Mr. Speaker, our veterans bravely put their lives on the line to defend our freedoms and to keep our nation safe.

There are over 20 million veterans in the United States, with a large number residing in my home state of Texas.

Texas has more than 1.4 million veterans, making it the state with the second largest veteran population.

Harris County, the county which contains my district, is home to over 187,000 veterans, the most of any county in the state.

There is no doubt that these fearless men and women suffering from burdensome health problems deserve not only our gratitude, but also our support throughout recovery and treatment.

By passing H.R. 3832, health care providers will receive additional information so they may provide veterans with assistance which will enhance their rehabilitation.

This bill would enable the VA to monitor drug prescriptions in order to ensure that veterans' risk of addiction is minimized.

The Veterans Opioid Abuse Prevention Act would allow VA providers to better track and prevent excess opioid prescribing.

The provisions of this bill will serve as a vital resource to our veterans and their health care providers as they overcome burdensome health problems.

These provisions would help prevent opioid abuse by allowing for greater information sharing between VA and state-based prescription drug monitoring programs.

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 3832 to show their support and gratitude for the sacrifices made by our service men and women, and to ensure that veterans battling health problems receive the care and rehabilitation they deserve.

Rep. Timothy J. WalzD-MN-1 · May 21, 2018

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the gentleman's Veterans Opioid Abuse Prevention Act. It was about 10 years ago to the day that we…

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the gentleman's Veterans Opioid Abuse Prevention Act. It was about 10 years ago to the day that we stood on this floor when I had a piece of legislation, one of the first ones I authored as a Member of Congress, the stepped-care pain management for the prescription of opioids in the VA, and I remember delivering a speech right here that if we don't do something about what is happening with the overprescription, we are going to be in a situation of crisis, I think, were the terms that I used.

At that time, we started talking about multiple approaches to pain management. At the time we brought it up, the VA did not even want to consider things like acupuncture and yoga, and now we are at a situation where the gentleman is exactly right. Even with that, moving forward, according to the Center for Ethics and the Rule of Law, between 2010 and 2015, the number of veterans addicted to opioids rose 55 percent to a total of roughly 68,000. This represents about 13 percent of all veterans currently prescribed opioids.

Various published studies have found that there is a significant increased risk of suicide among our veterans and the general U.S. population when opioid use disorders are apparent.

H.R. 3832, as amended, will require VA to enter into a memorandum of understanding with a State-based prescription drug monitoring program in order to further reduce opioid misuse and dependency.

By requiring VA to partner with the prescription drug program, the VA can better ensure veterans are receiving the most appropriate treatment available while significantly reducing the likelihood of abuse.

We have an ethical responsibility to do everything we can in this country to reduce the opioid epidemic, certainly amongst our veterans. It is a step in the right direction to prevent the overprescription of opioids to veterans so that we can start preventing those veterans becoming addicted in the first place. I stand in strong support of this.

Mr. Speaker, as stated, this is a good piece of legislation, smart move forward, and I encourage my colleagues to vote for it.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Rep. Anthony G. BrownD-MD-4 · Jun 26, 2018

Mr. Speaker, from May 15, 2018 until May 22, 2018, I was absent from the House of Representatives. Had I been present, I would have voted in the following manner: H.R. 613, Lieutenant Osvaldo…

Rep. Rosa L. DeLauroD-CT-3 · May 24, 2018

Mr. Speaker, I had an unavoidable family commitment and so I missed Roll Call vote number 207 regarding the ``Servicemembers Improved Transition through Reforms for Ensuring Progress Act (H.R.…

Show 4 more

Rep. Bruce WestermanR-AR-4 · May 23, 2018

Mr. Speaker, due to attending the graduation of my eldest son, Eli Westerman, from Yale University, I was unable to attend votes on Monday, May 21, 2018. Had I been present in the House of…

Rep. David N. CicillineD-RI-1 · May 21, 2018

Mr. Speaker, due to a flight delay I was forced to miss tonight's votes. Had I been present, I would have supported the three bills considered under suspension of the rules. I would have voted…

Rep. Dennis A. RossR-FL-15 · May 21, 2018

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 207, No. 208, and No. 209, on H.R. 3832, H.R. 4830, and H.R. 4451 respectively, I am not recorded. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' for all three recorded…

Rep. Scott DesJarlaisR-TN-4 · May 22, 2018

Mr. Speaker, due to a family emergency, I was unable to be present for votes on May 21, 2018. Had I been present, I would have voted yes on H.R. 4830 (Roll no. 207); H.R. 4451 (Roll no. 208) and H.R.…

Bill Text

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Referred in SenateIssued May 22, 2018

IIB

115th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 3832

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

May 22, 2018

Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

AN ACT

To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for access by Department of Veterans Affairs health care providers to State prescription drug monitoring programs.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Veterans Opioid Abuse Prevention Act.

2.

Department of VETERANS AFFAIRS participation in national network of State-based prescription drug monitoring programs

(a)

In general

Chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1730A the following new section:

1730B.

Access to State prescription drug monitoring programs

(a)

Access to programs

(1)

Any licensed health care provider or delegate of such a provider shall be considered an authorized recipient or user for the purpose of querying and receiving data from the national network of State-based prescription drug monitoring programs to support the safe and effective prescribing of controlled substances to covered patients.

(2)

Under the authority granted by paragraph (1)—

(A)

licensed health care providers or delegates of such providers shall query such network in accordance with applicable regulations and policies of the Veterans Health Administration; and

(B)

notwithstanding any general or specific provision of law, rule, or regulation of a State, no State may restrict the access of licensed health care providers or delegates of such providers from accessing that State’s prescription drug monitoring programs.

(3)

No State shall deny or revoke the license, registration, or certification of a licensed health care provider or delegate who otherwise meets that State’s qualifications for holding the license, registration, or certification on the basis that the licensed health care provider or delegate has queried or received data, or attempt to query or receive data, from the national network of State-based prescription drug monitoring programs under this section.

(b)

Covered patients

For purposes of this section, a covered patient is a patient who—

(1)

receives a prescription for a controlled substance; and

(2)

is not receiving palliative care or enrolled in hospice care.

(c)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

The term controlled substance has the meaning given such term in section 102(6) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802(6)).

(2)

The term delegate means a person or automated system accessing the national network of State-based prescription monitoring programs at the direction or under the supervision of a licensed health care provider.

(3)

The term licensed health care provider means a health care provider employed by the Department who is licensed, certified, or registered within any State to fill or prescribe medications within the scope of his or her practice as a Department employee.

(4)

The term national network of State-based prescription monitoring programs means an interconnected nation-wide system that facilitates the transfer to State prescription drug monitoring program data across State lines.

(5)

The term State means a State, as defined in section 101(20) of this title, or a political subdivision of a State.

.

(b)

Clerical amendment

The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 17 of such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1730A the following new item:

1730B. Access to State prescription drug monitoring programs.

.

Passed the House of Representatives May 21, 2018.

Karen L. Haas,

Clerk