Bill > HR4641

This bill establishes an inter-agency task force, convened by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to review, modify, and update best practices for pain management and the prescribing of pain medication, including a specific focus on alternatives to opioids. The task force will be composed of representatives from various government agencies, medical professionals, researchers, patient advocates, and individuals with lived experience of pain or addiction. Its duties include considering existing research, state and local efforts, and the unique needs of different populations, particularly adolescents and young adults, when developing these updated practices. The task force will also examine the need for, development of, and availability of medical alternatives to opioids and will submit a report to Congress detailing its findings, a strategy for disseminating the best practices, the feasibility of linking these practices to the registration of controlled substances with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and recommendations for improving pain management at medical facilities and for utilizing opioid alternatives.