Press Releases

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Administration announced final integration with the state’s Ohio Automated Rx Reporting System (OARRS), action Congressman Brad Wenstrup (OH-2) has pursued since taking office in 2013. The reporting system provides Ohio doctors access to patient prescription history, and new VA participation provides a fuller picture of that history for Ohio patients.

“This has been a problem I’ve addressed since my first months in office in 2013. Full integration into this system is an important piece in Ohio’s successful battle against prescription drug abuse,” Wenstrup explained, a doctor and veteran himself.

Local prosecutors initially highlighted their concerns to Wenstrup about the system disconnect as early as February 2013. While Congress authorized the VA to participate in state reporting system in 2011, the department had failed to meaningfully participate with Ohio’s system, established in 2006. After identifying the problem, Wenstrup’s office worked with the VA to ensure interoperability in a timely manner.

“We talked to the VA often over the last two years, making sure this concern from Ohioans didn’t fall through the bureaucratic cracks. Through briefings and updates, I am glad our persistence helped see VA participation to completion,” Wenstrup said.

Wenstrup concluded that “As a doctor, I know the importance of preventing over-prescribing and ‘doctor shopping’ for drugs, and we owe that protection to our veterans and doctors.”

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