There is no doubt that the opioid crisis in the United States continues. In 2022, more than 80,000 Americans died from an opioid overdose, while nearly 10 million abused the drugs. One aspect of the opioid crisis that receives little attention, however, is its impact on seniors.
In 2021, more than 50,000 seniors suffered an opioid overdose, while more than 1 million seniors were diagnosed with opioid use disorder.
This issue, however, is bringing together lawmakers from both sides of the political spectrum in the form of the Alternatives to Prevent Addiction in the Nation (PAIN) Act. This bill, supported by a bipartisan group of congressional leaders, addresses the critical problem of opioid abuse among seniors by ensuring that Medicare patients have access to new, non-opioid pain management alternatives that will soon be available.
Opinion
Researchers have long noted a link between prescription opioids and the opioid crisis. In 2020, 21% of opioid-related deaths were due to prescription opioids.
Meanwhile, Medicare’s share of opioid prescriptions nationwide has increased by more than 75%, with 1 million prescriptions written in the last decade. Almost simultaneously, opioid abuse by seniors has increased. For example, studies show that the number of opioid use disorders among Medicare beneficiaries tripled between 2013 and 2018.
For this reason, we need to find a more effective pain management solution that gives older people the opportunity to relieve their pain using non-addictive means.
Fortunately, the Food and Drug Administration may soon approve the first oral, opioid-free alternative for treating acute pain. This breakthrough drug offers effective, alternative pain relief without the addictive properties of traditional opioids. When approved, these treatments will allow healthcare professionals to manage severe pain without worrying about abuse, misuse, and addiction.
To ensure that older adults have access to these non-opioid treatments under the Medicare clinic and that they are not forced to continue choosing opioids for economic reasons, Representatives Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) and Tony Cárdenas (D-Calif.) are introducing the bipartisan Alternatives to PAIN Act.
The legislation will guarantee that the cost seniors pay for these new treatments is equivalent to what they would pay for generic opioid painkillers. By ensuring cost parity, seniors can choose the option that works best for them without worrying about financial hurdles.
The Alternatives to PAIN Act can save lives by preventing addiction before it starts. But first, Congress must act on the bill. So when Sacramento lawmakers return to Washington, DC from their summer recess, it’s imperative that they put aside partisan differences and pass real solutions for our seniors.
The impact of opioid abuse on the older population is a crisis that requires immediate and compassionate action. Older Americans deserve the dignity of safe, effective pain management without the shadow of addiction.
The Alternatives to PAIN Act is a glimmer of hope for those who have suffered in silence and a path forward for a health care system burdened by the dual challenges of chronic pain and addiction. Let’s cross the partisan divide and ensure our seniors receive the compassionate care they deserve.
Sacramento resident Alicia Hernandez-Gonzalez is a licensed travel nurse with 30 years of experience in geriatric care.
