Pappas Helps Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Increase Veterans’ Access to Non-Opioid Medications

Today Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), Ranking Member of the Economic Opportunity (EO) Subcommittee of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee (HVAC), joined Congressman Greg Landsman (OH-01), Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03), Congresswoman Terri Sewell (AL-07), Congressman Jack Bergman (MI-01), and Congressman Abraham Hamadeh (AZ-08) in introducing the NOPAIN for Veterans Act, bipartisan legislation to increase veterans’ access to non-opioid pain medications.

“Veterans served and sacrificed for our country, and they shouldn’t face barriers to accessing the medications and treatments they need and prefer. Making non-opioid pain management more affordable and accessible to veterans is common sense for their health and for preventing addiction,” said Congressman Pappas. “This bipartisan legislation will close the gap on VA’s non-opioid drug coverage to help our veterans stay safe and healthy.”

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, the NOPAIN for Veterans Act would reform the way the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers and covers non-opioid pain management drugs. The legislation would require VA to furnish and cover non-opioid pain management drugs under VA pharmacy benefits if those drugs are covered by Medicare.

“Our veterans deserve the very best care, which includes access to safer options for managing pain,” said Congressman Landsman. “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.”

“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 Congressman 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.” 

“As a police chief in Southwestern Ohio, we are on the front lines of the opioid addiction epidemic. As a veteran myself, I know that veterans face additional risks for developing a substance use disorder and prevention is critical for these individuals. This bill will go a long way towards preventing addiction in our veteran community,” said Tom Synan, Board Member of Voices for Non-Opioid Choices:

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