WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HR 1107

TO PROCLAIM APRIL 24, 2025, AS TEACH CHILDREN TO SAVE DAY IN ARKANSAS.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Randy Torres

Permanently authorize VA clinicians to prescribe controlled substances to veterans via telemedicine, removing in-person eval barriers while maintaining safeguards.

READ AND ADOPTED.
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 1107

Below is a clear, factual summary of the measures referred to as “H.R. 1107” in the materials you provided. The documents actually describe two distinct measures that share the same bill number in different jurisdictions: (A) a federal bill reported as H.R. 1107 (Protecting Veteran Access to Telemedicine Services Act of 2025) and (B) an Arkansas House Resolution H.R. 1107 (Teach Children to Save Day). Each is summarized separately.

A. Federal H.R. 1107 — “Protecting Veteran Access to Telemedicine Services Act of 2025”
- Purpose and intent
- Permanently authorize certain Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care professionals to prescribe, deliver, distribute, or dispense controlled substances to veterans via telemedicine without a prior in-person medical evaluation.
- Preserve and modernize access to essential medications for veterans — particularly those in rural/underserved areas — by codifying telemedicine flexibilities used during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Key provisions

    • Amends chapter 17 of title 38, U.S. Code, to allow covered VA practitioners to provide controlled medications through telemedicine under conditions consistent with the Controlled Substances Act.
    • Seeks to make permanent the telemedicine exceptions that had been temporarily authorized by DEA/HHS waivers (these waivers had been extended through Dec. 31, 2025).
    • Emphasizes maintaining appropriate prescribing safeguards consistent with federal controlled substances law.

  • Background and rationale

    • The Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act (2008) generally requires an in-person evaluation before prescribing controlled substances; this has posed access barriers for many veterans.
    • VA Office of Rural Health estimates over 2.7 million veterans live in rural communities and face travel and provider shortages.
    • Committee report argues permanent authority would reduce rural/urban disparities in care and protect continuity of treatment for pain management, mental health, and substance use disorder therapies.

  • Affected parties / impact

    • Primary: veterans receiving care from VA health professionals, especially rural veterans.
    • Operationally affects VA clinicians authorized to prescribe controlled substances and VA telehealth programs; also interacts with DEA/HHS regulatory schemes.
    • Expected to increase access to medication management via telehealth while requiring VA to maintain safeguards against misuse.

  • Procedural/timeline notes

    • Introduced: Feb 6, 2025 (Rep. Steve Womack).
    • Referred to House Veterans’ Affairs Committee; reported favorably (H. Rept. 119‑221) July 29, 2025.
    • Committee hearings and markups occurred March–May 2025. (CBO estimate referenced in report; details not included in provided excerpt.)

B. Arkansas H.R. 1107 — State House Resolution (Teach Children to Save Day)
- Purpose and intent
- A ceremonial resolution proclaiming April 24, 2025, as “Teach Children to Save Day” in Arkansas to encourage financial education for children.

  • Key provisions

    • Encourages parents, teachers, caregivers, schools, banks, and local businesses to promote early financial literacy.
    • Notes research on benefits of early financial education (budgeting, goal-setting, self-discipline) and cites role of Arkansas Financial Education Commission.
    • No regulatory or funding changes — symbolic/celebratory proclamation.

  • Affected parties / impact

    • Primarily public awareness and encouragement of school- and community-based financial education initiatives. No direct legal or fiscal effect.

  • Procedural/timeline notes

    • Filed: April 3, 2025; Read and adopted in the Arkansas House on April 9, 2025.
    • Sponsored by Representative Torres (principal); cosponsors listed include multiple federal and state legislators in your materials (note: some names refer to sponsors of the federal bill).

Notes on document confusion
- The materials you provided conflate two separate items both labeled “H.R. 1107.” The federal measure is a substantive statutory amendment affecting VA telemedicine and controlled substances; the Arkansas item is a state-level ceremonial resolution proclaiming a designated day. This summary treats them separately to avoid conflation. If you want a deeper dive into the federal committee report (cost estimates, section-by-section analysis, or full CBO score) or the exact legislative history/status for either measure, I can provide that.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.