Alternatives to PAIN Act
Latest action (Feb 12, 2025) — 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.
What it does
Congressional Research Service, Feb 12, 2025Alternatives to Prevent Addiction In the Nation Act or the Alternatives to PAIN Act
This bill reduces cost-sharing and prohibits the imposition of certain utilization requirements under the Medicare prescription drug benefit for certain non-opioid pain management drugs.
Specifically, the bill requires such drugs to be covered without a deductible and to be placed on the lowest cost-sharing tier (if any). The bill also prohibits the imposition of prior authorization requirements (i.e., requiring prior approval from a plan) or step therapy requirements (i.e., requiring the use of alternative drugs before a drug is covered under a plan) with respect to such drugs.
Face Value
as introducedHow much of this bill its name accounts for.
- Every bill starts at100
- Nothing counted against it: one area of law, and short enough that length doesn't register.
Face Value measures reach, not honesty. A big bill can be accurately named, and a low score is not an accusation — it means the contents reach further than any short title could describe. Count it yourself ↗ How this is worked out
Who lobbied on this
5 organizationsThese organizations told Congress, in their own quarterly disclosures, that they were lobbying on this bill.
- American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeonswanted it passed
“…Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act. -Support for the Alternatives to Prevent Addiction in the Nation Act (H.R. 1227), which would reduce cost-sharing and prohibits the imposition of certain utilization requirements under the Medicare prescription drug…” filing ↗
- American Association of Nurse Practitionersno position stated
“…No. 119-21] H.R. 1227/S. 475 - the Alternatives to Prevent Addiction in the Nation (Alternatives to PAIN) Act H.R. 2531/S. 1232 - Workplace Violence Prevention…” filing ↗
- American Psychiatric Associationno position stated
“…to Health Professions Act H.R. 879/S. 1640 - Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act H.R. 1153 - Rural America Health Corps Act H.R. 1227/S. 475 - Alternatives to Prevent Addiction in the Nation (Alternatives to PAIN) Act H.R. 1735/S. 779 - EARLY Minds Act H.R. 1448 - PEER for…” filing ↗
- American Society of Anesthesiologistsno position stated
“…CMS: Federal Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) Process, Batching H.R.27, HALT Fentanyl Act: fentanyl scheduling and registration requirements H.R. 1227/S.475, Alternatives to PAIN Act of 2025: access to non-opioid pain management options Pain Medicine Prescription Drug Abuse CDC Opioid…” filing ↗
- Guidewell Mutual Holding Corporationno position stated
“…Sponsor: Rep. Arrington, Jodey C. [R-TX-19] H.R.1227 - Alternatives to PAIN Act To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to ensure appropriate access to non-opioid pain management drugs…” filing ↗
Most filings say only that an organization lobbied on a bill, not which side it took — where that's the case we say so rather than guessing. Quotes are verbatim from the filing. How this is built.
Discussion
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