WatchGov

119th Congress

S. 475

Alternatives to PAIN Act

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed Senate
  4. Passed House
  5. To President
  6. Became law
Sponsor
Thom Tillis(R-NC)
Introduced
Feb 6, 2025
Policy area
Health
Committees
Senate Committee on Finance
Official text
Introduced in Senate · Congress.gov page

Cosponsors (36)

Original cosponsors (16)

Added later (20)

Summary

Summary by the Congressional Research Service· describes the “Introduced in Senate” version

Alternatives 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.

Roll-call votes

No recorded votes on this bill.

Actions