12-12-2024 11:14pm

Warren County's Congressman Landsman introduces Bipartisan Bill to Increase Veterans Access to Non-Opioid Medications

Beth Callahan Editor

WARREN COUNTY, OH -- The opioid epidemic has impacted 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, Ohio Congressman Greg Landsman (D) and Wisconsin Congressman Derrick Van Orden (R) introduced theNOPAIN for Veterans Act – legislation that would reform the way the Department of Veterans Affairs offers and covers non-opioid pain management drugs.

“By making non-opioid pain management options more affordable and available to veterans, we can take a big step in preventing addiction and substance abuse. These lists will provide safer alternatives, prioritize the health of veterans, and contribute to the overall effort of ending the opioid epidemic,” said Landsman.

The NOPAIN for Veterans Act would require that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs list and cover all non-opioid pain management drugs under VA pharmacy benefits. It would also mandate that these drugs be included on the VA Drug Standardization List, preventing them from being substituted with alternatives.

“Veterans deserve the best care possible, and that does not include getting them addicted to opioids with overly aggressive pain management treatments. The men and women who have bravely served our nation deserve better. That is why I am proud to join Congressman Landsman in introducing the NOPAIN for Veterans Act so veterans can access safe, effective treatments that provide relief without running the risks associated with opioid prescriptions,” added Van Orden.

Tom Synan, Newtown Chief of Police and Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Hamilton County Addiction Response Coalition said, “I have seen firsthand how the opioid epidemic has affected our area. Cincinnati was one of the hardest hit areas in the country by the opioid epidemic. Although we have had a reduction in overdose deaths, there are still too many people, including our veterans, who are suffering. As a veteran, I applaud Congressman Landsman and Congressman Van Orden for introducing this legislation, which will provide greater access to FDA-approved non-opioids to my fellow veterans and give them a choice instead of opioids and reduce the amount of opioids in our communities.”

The full text of the NOPAIN for Veterans Act can be found here.