Veteran Prescription CoPay

I oppose the raising of the co-pay for veterans medicine, and I made this clear when it was first announced.  I, along with many other members of Congress, requested this increase be stopped in a letter sent in October 2001 to Veterans Secretary Anthony Principi.  It would be an undue hardship for many veterans and should be scrapped. 

The VA regulations also calls for an increase in drug premiums annually for veteran=s medications. The annual increase would be equal to the rate of the prescription drug component of the Medical Consumer Price Index.  Once again, I and other members of Congress noted, Athis regulation is far greater than the overall inflation rate and is unfair to veterans.@ 

I am enclosing the letter we sent to the VA for your information. 

Furthermore, I am a co-sponsor of H.R. 2820, a bill which would suspend for five years the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase the copayment amount in effect for medication furnished by the VA on an outpatient basis for the treatment of non‑service‑connected disabilities.  H.R. 2820 is currently awaiting action in the House. 

I am disturbed by the department=s action, which comes at the same time Congress is seeking a way to bring relief to many Americans from the high cost of prescription drugs.