John Wozniak: Seniors deserve alternatives to opioids for pain relief

In recent years, I have watched people I know try to navigate our health care system while seeking treatment for pain or recovering from surgery, and it has opened my eyes to the complexities and frustrations patients face when trying to access appropriate pain management. And it’s why I strongly support the Alternatives to Prevent Addiction in the Nation (PAIN) Act, which would help Medicare recipients access safer pain treatment options.

Serving Pennsylvania’s Senate taught me that sound health care policy should balance access to treatment with fiscal responsibility. The Alternatives to PAIN Act strikes this balance perfectly — it gives seniors on Medicare access to cutting-edge, non-addictive pain medications while ensuring these safer options don’t cost more than traditional opioids.

I appreciate solutions like these that expand patient choice and save government money. It’s estimated that opioid use disorder costs Medicare over $33 billion a year. If awareness and adoption of non-opioids as pain treatment options could save us even 10% of those costs — that’s $3 billion dollars of taxpayer money.

The scope of prescription opioid misuse in our country is staggering. In 2023, nearly 8.6 million Americans 12 years and older reported misusing prescription opioids. The numbers don’t lie — we have a problem. Many of these cases stem from prescriptions prescribed by doctors to treat pain after a medical intervention and lead to dependency. Despite decades of living with this crisis, we’re still seeing high rates of opioids prescribed to seniors simply because safer alternatives aren’t well known or covered by Medicare.

Pennsylvania saw more than 5,000 overdose deaths in 2021 alone, and while we’ve made progress through state programs, efforts to expand coverage of non-opioid pain management options for seniors requires federal action. It’s important work that would work alongside our state’s commitment to addressing this crisis.

The health care industry has developed innovative solutions: new FDA approved medications that can effectively manage acute pain without the risk of addiction. However, insurance hasn’t kept pace with these advances. We need to utilize every tool in our toolbox to prevent addiction, and that starts by making these safe drugs accessible and affordable. The Alternatives to PAIN Act would remove bureaucratic regulations to non-opioid alternatives, allowing seniors and their doctors to make informed decisions about appropriate treatment options.

I was encouraged to see Sen. Bob Casey and Reps. Mike Kelly, Brian Fitzpatrick and Thompson taking the lead by co-sponsoring this crucial legislation. Their support demonstrates how this issue transcends party lines. However, we need more of Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation to join this effort to protect our seniors.

When Medicare beneficiaries need pain management after surgery, they should have affordable access to every safe, effective option available. I know how policy decisions affect real families making difficult health care choices. The Alternatives to PAIN Act makes those choices clearer for our senior citizens, who deserve nothing less.

John Wozniak is a retired Pennsylvania state senator. He writes from Johnstown.