Bipartisan Legislation Introduced to Increase Veterans' Access to Non-Opioid Pain Medications

Strategic Insights -

The NOPAIN for Veterans Act, a bipartisan legislation introduced by Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), aims to increase veterans' access to non-opioid pain medications by reforming the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) coverage of these medications. The legislation requires the VA to furnish and cover non-opioid pain management drugs under VA pharmacy benefits if those drugs are covered by Medicare, ensuring that veterans have the same access to these treatments as seniors on Medicare.

Key Takeaways:

  • The NOPAIN for Veterans Act is a bipartisan legislation introduced by Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) to increase veterans' access to non-opioid pain medications.
  • The legislation requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish and cover non-opioid pain management drugs under VA pharmacy benefits if those drugs are covered by Medicare.
  • The goal of the legislation is to make non-opioid treatments more affordable and available to veterans, preventing addiction and promoting long-term recovery.
  • Veterans, particularly those with substance use disorders, are at higher risk of developing addiction and should have access to safer and more effective pain management options.
  • The legislation builds on the Non-Opioids Prevent Addiction in the Nation (NOPAIN) Act passed in 2022, which ensures that seniors on Medicare have access to non-opioid pain management medications.
  • The bill is a step towards protecting veterans' health and preventing addiction, which has affected nearly every demographic in the United States.

Statistics:

  • The opioid epidemic has impacted nearly every demographic in the United States.
  • The Non-Opioids Prevent Addiction in the Nation (NOPAIN) Act passed in 2022 ensures that seniors on Medicare have access to non-opioid pain management medications.
  • The legislation introduced by Congressman Pappas aims to close the gap in VA pharmacy benefits for non-opioid pain management medications for veterans.
  • Estimated 1 in 5 veterans have a substance use disorder, highlighting the need for accessible and effective pain management options.

Sources:

  • Office of Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) News Release (no date)
  • Congressman Greg Landsman (OH-01) Statement
  • Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) Statement
  • Congressman Jack Bergman (MI-01) Statement
  • Congressman Abraham Hamadeh (AZ-08) Statement
  • TheNon-Opioids Prevent Addiction in the Nation (NOPAIN) Act (Public Law 117-139, 2022)