WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) and Congressman Greg Landsman (D-OH-01) introduced bipartisan legislation to increase veterans’ access to non-opioid pain medications.
The opioid epidemic has impacted nearly every demographic in the United States. In response, Congress passed the Non-Opioids Prevent Addiction in the Nation (NOPAIN) Act in 2022 so seniors on Medicare have access to and never pay more for non-opioid pain management medications.
To ensure veterans have the same access, Congressman Van Orden and Congressman Landsman have reintroduced the NOPAIN for Veterans Act. This legislation would reform the way the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) handles veteran pain management by requiring VA to furnish and cover non-opioid pain management drugs under VA pharmacy benefits if those drugs are covered by Medicare.
Original cosponsors of the legislation include Reps. Terri Sewell (D-AL), Jack Bergman (R-MI), Chris Pappas (D-NH), and Abraham Hamadeh (R-AZ).
“I thank the VA for taking the issue of opioid administration mismanagement seriously and the great strides they have made over the years to improve care for our vets,” said Rep. Van Orden. “Veterans must have access to comprehensive medical treatment plans, and the NOPAIN for Veterans Act will provide pain management alternatives that are safer, more effective, and promote long-term recovery.”
“Our veterans deserve the very best care, which includes access to safer options for managing pain. Our bipartisan bill is a commonsense step to make non-opioid treatments more affordable and available to those who’ve served our country, and a way to prevent addiction before it starts. We can protect our veteran’s health and keep pushing forward in the fight to end the opioid epidemic,” said Rep. Landsman.
“In 2022, Congress took a critical step in our fight against the opioid crisis by passing our NOPAIN Act, providing better access to non-opioid pain medications for seniors,” said Rep. Sewell. “The NOPAIN for Veterans Act builds on our progress, ensuring that such treatments are available to our nation’s veterans as well. By increasing access to non-opioid therapies, we can empower more Americans to effectively manage their pain without risking addiction.”
“Our Veterans deserve access to every effective treatment available – without red tape or delay. The NOPAIN for Veterans Act ensures they get the care they’ve earned, especially when it comes to managing chronic pain with safe, proven non-opioid alternatives. This is a critical step toward improving quality of life while reducing dependence on addictive medications,” said Rep. Bergman.
“Veterans served and sacrificed for our country, and they shouldn’t face barriers to accessing the medications and treatments they need and prefer,” said Rep. Pappas. “Making non-opioid pain management more affordable and accessible to veterans is common sense for their health and for preventing addiction. This bipartisan legislation will close the gap on VA’s non-opioid drug coverage to help our veterans stay safe and healthy.”
“I am proud to cosponsor the NOPAIN for Veterans Act and am grateful to the sponsor for the opportunity to support an effort to protect my fellow Veterans with access to better healthcare options. Far too many of our Veterans have fallen victim to the Opioid epidemic due to lack of access to FDA-approved non-opioid alternatives. That is simply wrong. Our Veterans deserve access to the full suite of non-addictive pain management options and so much more,” said Rep. Hamadeh.
Read the full bill text here.
