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Grant Provost of Brunswick is the business agent of Ironworkers Local 7.
The catastrophic impact that the opioid epidemic is having on our country leaves many wondering whether the cure has become as bad as the cause when it comes to pain management. No one should have to suffer, but the dependency and threat of overdose that patients might develop when using powerful, highly addictive prescription opioids can sometimes far outweigh the pain they are seeking to alleviate. People should be able to get pain relief without worrying whether they’ll become addicted to their prescription in their pursuit of relief.
Fortunately, new medical discoveries might help us make that goal a reality. A first of its kind non-addictive, non-opioid alternative treatment for pain appears to be on pace for approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) this year. This new medicine could be a huge help in our effort to avoid prescription opioid addiction and the harmful, sometimes fatal health effects that come with it. With these groundbreaking new treatments soon becoming available to the public, it’s important that lawmakers take action to make them more accessible.
Here in Maine, a group of bipartisan legislators deserve credit for recently introducing LD 2096, An Act to Ensure Access to Non-Opioid, Non-Narcotic Medication for Acute Pain Relief. If passed, this legislation would make sure that coverage for non-opioid medication is not more restrictive or expensive than coverage for an opioid or narcotic drug. Passing this should be common sense. No Mainer should have to risk opioid addiction because they’ve been priced out of access to a non-addictive, non-opioid alternative.
This bipartisan effort reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that Mainers have access to safer options for serious pain relief. By mandating equitable insurance coverage for non-opioids, LD 2096 prioritizes the well-being of Mainers and takes proactive measures to mitigate the risks associated with opioid dependency. It sends a clear message that the health and welfare of individuals should not be compromised due to restrictive practices or cost barriers.
If the legislation doesn’t pass, patients struggling with severe pain will be left with limited options, forcing them to expose themselves to the dangers that come with opioid reliance. Sitting on our hands at a moment like this will support a system that prioritizes potentially harmful pain management approaches over safer, evidence-based alternatives.
As we look ahead to the potential FDA approval of the first-of-its-kind non-addictive, non-opioid alternative treatment for pain, the enactment of LD 2096 in Maine would help do what’s needed to complement the incredible progress taking place in modern medicine. I urge our lawmakers in Augusta to support this much-needed bill so that we can begin to alleviate the harms caused by opioid addiction.
