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Bill > HR1227


US HR1227

US HR1227
Alternatives to PAIN Act Alternatives to Prevent Addiction In the Nation Act


summary

Introduced
02/12/2025
In Committee
02/12/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

119th Congress

Bill Summary

A BILL To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to ensure appropriate access to non-opioid pain management drugs under part D of the Medicare program.

AI Summary

This bill aims to improve access to non-opioid pain management drugs under Medicare Part D by introducing several key provisions effective January 1, 2026. Specifically, the bill requires that qualifying non-opioid pain management drugs (defined as FDA-approved drugs for acute or postoperative pain that do not interact with opioid receptors and have no therapeutic equivalents) be placed on the lowest cost-sharing tier and be exempt from Medicare Part D deductibles. The legislation also prohibits prescription drug plans from using step therapy (requiring patients to try other drugs first) or prior authorization for these specific non-opioid pain drugs. To qualify, the drugs must meet stringent criteria, including having a unique FDA label indication, not acting on opioid receptors, lacking therapeutic equivalents in the U.S. market, and having a monthly wholesale acquisition cost below a specific threshold. This bill represents an effort to provide Medicare beneficiaries with more affordable and accessible alternatives to opioid pain medications, potentially helping to address concerns about opioid addiction and pain management.

Committee Categories

Business and Industry

Sponsors (81)

Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R)* Robert Aderholt (R),  Gabe Amo (D),  Jake Auchincloss (D),  Troy Balderson (R),  Nanette Barragán (D),  Tom Barrett (R),  Aaron Bean (R),  Cliff Bentz (R),  Gus Bilirakis (R),  Robert Bresnahan (R),  Julia Brownley (D),  Nikki Budzinski (D),  Tim Burchett (R),  Kat Cammack (R),  Buddy Carter (R),  Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D),  Yvette Clarke (D),  Emanuel Cleaver (D),  Steve Cohen (D),  Jim Costa (D),  Angie Craig (D),  Don Davis (D),  Madeleine Dean (D),  Neal Dunn (R),  Mike Ezell (R),  Brian Fitzpatrick (R),  Chuck Fleischmann (R),  Andrew Garbarino (R),  Robert Garcia (D),  Sylvia Garcia (D),  Morgan Griffith (R),  Adelita Grijalva (D),  Michael Guest (R),  Pat Harrigan (R),  Richard Hudson (R),  John Joyce (R),  Mike Kelly (R),  Robin Kelly (D),  Ro Khanna (D),  Jen Kiggans (R),  John Larson (D),  Mike Lawler (R),  Ted Lieu (D),  Zoe Lofgren (D),  Ryan Mackenzie (R),  Nicole Malliotakis (R),  Tracey Mann (R),  Brian Mast (R),  Lucy McBath (D),  Morgan McGarvey (D),  Jim McGovern (D),  John McGuire (R),  Carol Miller (R),  Gwen Moore (D),  Seth Moulton (D),  Troy Nehls (R),  Eleanor Holmes Norton (D),  Jimmy Panetta (D),  Chris Pappas (D),  Scott Peters (D),  Brittany Pettersen (D),  August Pfluger (R),  Mark Pocan (D),  Emily Randall (D),  John Rutherford (R),  Andrea Salinas (D),  Derek Schmidt (R),  Austin Scott (R),  Terri Sewell (D),  Greg Steube (R),  Suhas Subramanyam (D),  Claudia Tenney (R),  Shri Thanedar (D),  G.T. Thompson (R),  Jill Tokuda (D),  Derrick Van Orden (R),  Gabe Vasquez (D),  Eugene Vindman (D),  Randy Weber (R),  Steve Womack (R), 

Last Action

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. (on 02/12/2025)

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