Governor M. Jodi Rell today signed into law a bill that prohibits nursing
homes from restricting patient access to prescription drugs from any U.S.
Department of Veterans' Affairs prescription drug program or health plan.

"The federal VA has a unique ability to negotiate costs with pharmaceutical
companies to provide veterans with lower cost prescription drugs," Governor
Rell said. "This bill ensures our veterans - who deserve our eternal
gratitude for their service - can take advantage of this discount, no matter
where they live. Considering everything they have laid on the line for us,
this seems like the least we can do in return."

Previous state law had required drugs administered at a nursing home to come
from an "institutional pharmacy" - that is, an on-site pharmacy at the
nursing home - or a community pharmacy with a written agreement with the
nursing home.

Under the new bill, nursing homes would still administer drugs obtained
through the VA discount programs. Nursing homes could also dispense
medications obtained from other sources if the patient needs them before
they can be obtained through the VA.

The legislation - House Bill 5351, An Act Concerning Prescription Drug
Benefits for Veterans in Nursing Home Facilities - takes effect October 1.

Connecticut Bill (43 KB PDF)