(a) In general
Commencing not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a one-year pilot program under which the Secretary shall make covered medications available to any veteran at no charge (in this section referred to as the pilot program ).
(b) Provision of medication prior to confirmation of status
The Secretary may provide covered medication to an individual under the pilot program prior to confirming the status of the individual as a veteran if the individual provides contact information for the individual and a written self-attestation of veteran status.
(c) Site selection
The Secretary shall prioritize carrying out the pilot program in geographical areas where data indicates a disproportionately high risk of overdose among the veteran population.
(d) Limitation on use of information
(1) In general
In carrying out this section, the Secretary may only collect the personally identifiable information needed for prescribing covered medication under the pilot program, and any personally identifiable information collected under this section may be used solely for the purpose of delivering, evaluating, and enhancing the quality of health care.
(2) Exclusion
The Secretary may not use any personally identifiable information collected under this section—
for the purpose of preventing a veteran from employment;
as evidence of a history of drug use; or
as evidence that an individual is an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance.
(e) Provision of information
The Secretary shall ensure that any individual who receives covered medication under the pilot program also receives—
information about addiction services, suicide prevention services, mental health services, and other related services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs; and
information on the use and application of covered medications.
(f) Report
(1) In general
Not later than 30 days before the completion of the pilot program under this section, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the pilot program.
(2) Elements
The report required by paragraph (1) shall include the following:
The number of veterans who received a covered medication under the pilot program, disaggregated by those enrolled in the system of annual patient enrollment of the Department of Veterans Affairs under section 1705(a) of title 38, United States Code, and those not enrolled in such system.
An assessment of the feasibility of expanding the pilot program to provide covered medications to immediate family members of veterans.
Any considerations associated with continuing, expanding, or making permanent the pilot program.
Any other recommendations of the Secretary with respect to modifying or continuing the pilot program.
(g) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Covered medication
The term covered medication means any opioid overdose rescue medication, such as naloxone.
(2) Veteran
The term veteran has the meaning given that term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code.