hcr 0008

A RESOLUTION urging the United States Congress to improve the prescription drug program provided to veterans.

SPONSORS: Rep. Joseph Manning, Ches 28; Rep. Guay, Coos 2; Rep. Heon, Straf 67; Rep. Ross, Hills 44; Rep. Gillick, Rock 85; Sen. D'Allesandro, Dist 20

COMMITTEE: State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

This house concurrent resolution urges the United States Congress to improve the prescription drug program provided to veterans.

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A RESOLUTION urging the United States Congress to improve the prescription drug program provided to veterans.

Whereas, one of the prime missions of the Department of Veterans Affairs is to nurture the health of those who have served their country and who qualify for medical care; and

Whereas, Congress has authorized an increase in the medication copayment from $2 to $7 and applied it to each month's supply rather than each prescription refill, pursuant to the Veterans Millennium Health Care and Benefits Act of 1999; and

Whereas, this change results in a $21 copayment for a 3 months' supply of even minor medications such as aspirin or antacid; and

Whereas, while the Department of Veterans Affairs gains financially, the effect of such changes discourage veterans from seeking help and is contrary to the Department's mission; now, therefore, be it

That the general court of New Hampshire hereby urges that the Congress of the United States make the necessary changes concerning the copayment of $7 per prescription, rather than each prescription refill, and return to the $2 copayment pursuant to the Veterans Millennium Health Care and Benefits Act of 1999; and

That copies of this resolution signed by the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate be forwarded by the house clerk to the President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and to each member of the New Hampshire congressional delegation.