Image still from hearing

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, led a hearing with the Department of Veterans Affairs, the VA Inspector General’s Office, the U.S. Government Accountability Office, and the Wounded Warrior Project to review VA prescription practices and discuss efforts to improve care for veterans, particularly those with mental health conditions.

Sen. Moran opened by emphasizing the nation’s obligation to ensure veterans receive safe, high-quality care through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

“This includes making certain that the medications that are being prescribed are designed to support their recovery from trauma, pain, and mental health challenges and are being paired correctly with the right support system. This responsibility is central to this committee’s mission and it is the focus of today’s discussion,” said Sen. Moran.

Sen. Moran cited recent reporting by the Wall Street Journal raising concerns about the use of multiple central nervous system medications among veterans, sometimes called a “combat cocktail.” He said the hearing would examine how widespread these practices are, their origins, and the VA’s oversight and accountability measures.

“Over the past decade, the VA has made significant progress in reducing opioid prescriptions through promoting safer options, expanding programs that support holistic health, and implementing new oversight measures to identify high-risk medication combinations,” said Sen. Moran.

The hearing aims to explore remaining gaps in care, including VA training, prescribing practices, and access to non-medication options such as therapy, pain management, and community programs, as well as potential lessons from private-sector models and technologies to improve veteran care.