NOPAIN for Veterans Act
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to add FDA-approved non-opioid surgical pain treatments to its standard medication list within one year of Medicare approving separate coverage for them. As a result, veterans undergoing operations will have reliable access to pain management alternatives that do not rely on opioids. The measure also specifies that the VA cannot use dedicated toxic exposure funds to pay for these drugs.
What this bill touches.
Who it helps · who it burdens.
Who it helps
- Veterans receiving VA healthcareVeterans receiving treatment through the VA system gain required access to FDA-approved non-opioid pain relief drugs and biological products on the national formulary and standardization list.
- Manufacturers of non-opioid pain management drugs and biological productsMakers of qualifying FDA-approved non-opioid pain management products have their drugs or biological products mandated for inclusion on the VA's national formulary and standardization list once eligible for specific Medicare payments.
Who it burdens
- Department of Veterans AffairsThe VA must add qualifying FDA-approved non-opioid pain management drugs and biological products to its national formulary within one year of Medicare eligibility and include them on its drug standardization list within 90 days of enactment.
The provisions, in plain language.
Requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to add FDA-approved non-opioid pain relief drugs and biological products to its national formulary within one year after they qualify for specific Medicare outpatient payments, with the requirement taking effect within 90 days of enactment.
Requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to include non-opioid pain management drugs and biological products on its drug standardization list.
Prohibits using money from the Cost of War Toxic Exposures Fund to cover the costs of these drug formulary and standardization requirements.