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As a retired millworker, I have witnessed the devastating impact of the opioid crisis on mill towns throughout Maine and communities around the entire state. Recent trends are promising, but the statistics remain stark: opioid overdose deaths have increased nearly fivefold since 1999. To address this crisis, it is crucial to focus on preventing addiction before it starts by increasing access to non-opioid pain management therapies.
Legislation plays a critical role in this battle. Maine recently made good progress on this front by passing Senate President Troy Jackson’s LD 2096, “An Act to Ensure Access to Non-Opioid, Non-narcotic Medication for Acute Pain Relief.” This bill requires insurers to create a plan to provide adequate coverage of opioid alternatives. Now it’s time for Congress to take action at the federal level by supporting the Alternatives to PAIN Act, which would ensure coverage of non-opioid pain management in Medicare Part D. I’m calling upon Maine’s federal delegation to support this legislation.
This effort reflects a broader recognition that the opioid crisis cannot be solved merely by limiting access to opioids. We must offer viable, effective alternatives. LD 2096 and the Alternatives to PAIN Act are both critical steps in that direction, creating a systemic change that incentivizes healthcare providers to adopt non-opioid therapies. Many patients are unaware that alternatives exist, and many providers have traditionally relied on opioids as the default pain management solution. By raising awareness and providing education, we can change these entrenched practices.
John Patrick
Lincoln
