NOPAIN for Veterans Act

House Bill

H.R. 4509

119th Congress

NOPAIN for Veterans Act

In Committee

Introduced:Dec 19, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Greg Landsman

D - OH

Cosponsors

17

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Armed Forces and National Security

Summary

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to add FDA-approved non-opioid pain medications to its national formulary within one year of Medicare approval. It aims to give veterans better access to alternatives to opioids for managing postoperative and postsurgical pain, addressing the ongoing opioid crisis that has particularly affected veteran populations.

Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to add FDA-approved non-opioid pain medications to its national formulary within one year of Medicare approval. It aims to give veterans better access to alternatives to opioids for managing postoperative and postsurgical pain, addressing the ongoing opioid crisis that has particularly affected veteran populations.

Last updated: 12/26/2025

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Requires VA to add non-opioid pain medications to national formulary within 1 year of Medicare eligibility
Non-opioid drugs must also be added to the VA drug standardization list
Implementation required within 90 days of enactment
Specifically targets drugs for postoperative pain and postsurgical/regional analgesia
Prohibits using the PACT Act Cost of War Toxic Exposures Fund for implementation costs

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

Veterans receiving care through the VA healthcare system would gain faster access to non-addictive pain management options. This particularly affects post-surgical patients and those with chronic pain conditions who currently face limited formulary options. The bill addresses the disproportionate opioid addiction rates among veterans. Healthcare providers would have expanded treatment tools. Pharmaceutical companies developing non-opioid alternatives would see increased market access.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Armed Forces and National Security

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

4509, 119th Congress (2025). "NOPAIN for Veterans Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/119-hr-4509