Representative Mike Collins Introduces Medical Protections for Veterans

Washington, D.C. -- Today, Congressman Mike Collins (GA-10) introduced the Veterans Opioid Records Transmission and Exchange (VORTEX) Act, legislation to protect America's veterans from dangerous opioid overprescribing.

Rep. Mike Collins is joined by house cosponsors Rep. Brian Babin (TX-36), Rep. Jim Baird (IN-04), Rep. Morgan Luttrell (TX-08), Rep. August Pfluger (TX-11), Rep Hal Rogers (KY-05), and Rep. Clay Fuller (GA-14).

"Our Veterans put their lives on the line, and many carry heavy burdens from their service. They protected our lives and our freedoms during their time in service, it's our turn to protect them as their minds and bodies heal," said Congressman Collins. "That is why I have introduced the VORTEX Act, this commonsense legislation requires VA and community care providers to communicate to one another and share the full opioid prescription history of a patient, so no one falls through the cracks of the medical system or is overprescribed dangerous medication. We cannot allow our Veterans to face their pain alone, we are with them every step of the way."

"The Community Care Network has been an integral resource for veterans seeking out the care they need. Eliminating gaps in the VA system is necessary to provide better service-connected treatment," said Congressman Luttrell. "Medical providers must have access to a veteran's full prescription history to make informed decisions for the men and women who served. I'm proud to cosponsor this legislation and grateful to Rep. Collins for his leadership in closing this critical gap in veteran care."

"Our veterans deserve safe, coordinated, and accountable care no matter where they seek treatment. That's why I am proud to support Rep. Collins's VORTEX Act to ensure providers in VA Community Care have access to a veteran's complete opioid prescription history by improving information sharing across the VA and its third-party administrators. This commonsense legislation will protect our veterans from the dangers of overprescribed opioids and hold the system to a higher standard of accountability. Our veterans answered the call to serve, and they deserve nothing short of gold-standard care in return." said Congressman Pfluger.

"Our veterans deserve world class healthcare, and they deserve to have their healthcare services transmitted promptly and accurately," said Congressman Fuller. "This bill will make sure that our Veterans safety is fully considered at every step, no matter where they receive care."

"The VORTEX Act will help protect our Veterans, ensuring they receive the best comprehensive care possible with readily available prescription information for their medical providers. Missing prescription information can lead to dangerous situations of overprescribing or negative drug interactions. We need to streamline medical records for Veterans and that includes powerful opioid prescriptions. I'm proud to join Congressman Collins to champion this important legislation for our American heroes." said Congressman Rogers.