Written Informed Consent Act

House Bill

H.R. 4837

119th Congress

Written Informed Consent Act

In Committee

Introduced:Dec 19, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Gus Bilirakis

R - FL

Cosponsors

7

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Armed Forces and National Security

Summary

This bill requires the VA to expand its informed consent requirements for long-term opioid therapy to cover other mind-altering medications. Veterans would need to provide written informed consent before being prescribed antipsychotics, stimulants, antidepressants, anxiolytics (anti-anxiety drugs), or narcotics for extended periods.

Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill requires the VA to expand its informed consent requirements for long-term opioid therapy to cover other mind-altering medications. Veterans would need to provide written informed consent before being prescribed antipsychotics, stimulants, antidepressants, anxiolytics (anti-anxiety drugs), or narcotics for extended periods.

Last updated: 12/26/2025

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Expands VHA Directive 1005 (informed consent for long-term opioids) to cover additional medication classes
Requires written informed consent for: antipsychotics, stimulants, antidepressants, anxiolytics, and narcotics
Builds on existing 2020 VA opioid consent policy
Aims to ensure veterans fully understand risks before starting long-term psychotropic medications
Addresses concerns about overmedication and prescription practices in VA mental health care

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

Veterans receiving psychiatric medications through the VA would gain formal informed consent protections. This particularly affects veterans with PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions who may be prescribed these medications long-term. VA providers would need to document consent discussions. The bill responds to concerns that some veterans may not fully understand the risks of medications they are prescribed. Could slow prescription processes but increases patient autonomy.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Armed Forces and National Security

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

4837, 119th Congress (2025). "Written Informed Consent Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/119-hr-4837