VFW Joins National Push for Written Informed Consent for Veterans

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) has joined a unified coalition of 34 military and veteran‑serving organizations—alongside the Grunt Style Foundation—to call on Congress to pass H.R. 4837 / S. 3314, the Written Informed Consent Act. The announcement came during a press conference on Capitol Hill, where advocates emphasized a simple but critical point: veterans deserve clear, written information about the long‑term psychiatric medications prescribed through the VA.

At the center of the effort is a commitment to transparency, communication, and veteran safety. The legislation would expand current requirements so that veterans receive easy‑to‑understand written materials outlining the risks, benefits, and potential interactions associated with long‑term psychiatric medication use. This ensures veterans can have informed, productive conversations with their VA health care providers—conversations that directly impact their long‑term health and quality of life.

VFW National Legislative Service Associate Director Meggan Coleman underscored the importance of this legislation, stating:

“The Written Informed Consent Act addresses this by ensuring veterans have clear conversations about risks, benefits and medication interactions. It does not restrict care, it strengthens understanding.”

Her statement reflects a broader truth within the veteran community: informed consent is not a barrier to care—it is a safeguard. Many veterans rely on psychiatric medications to manage service‑connected conditions such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, and chronic sleep disturbances. But long‑term medication use requires clarity, not guesswork. Written informed consent empowers veterans to understand their treatment plans, ask better questions, and make decisions with confidence.

The coalition’s message to Congress is straightforward: veterans deserve transparency, not complexity. By passing the Written Informed Consent Act, lawmakers can strengthen trust in the VA system and ensure veterans receive the information they need to manage their health responsibly.

As this legislation moves forward, the veteran community continues to advocate for policies that prioritize clarity, communication, and long‑term well‑being. The Written Informed Consent Act is one step toward that mission—one that reinforces the principle that informed veterans are empowered veterans.