Op-ed: Fighting Addiction by supporting HB 1358 & FDA-Approved non-opioid alternatives for Hoosiers
As an elected Indiana state representative, my unwavering commitment is to the health and safety of constituents, especially the most vulnerable among us. The opioid epidemic has devastated countless families in my district and across our state and doesn’t care about your color, socioeconomic status or who you voted for in the last election. That is why I introduced HB 1358, a bill designed to reduce opioid prescriptions and promote the use of FDA-approved non-opioid medications.
Despite the decision by super-majority Republicans not to give my bill a hearing, I hope to amend this language into a bill before the end of the current legislative session this April. It would prevent the State of Indiana from imposing greater coverage restrictions on a non-opioid drug prescribed for the treatment or management of pain than the coverage restrictions placed on an opioid drug prescribed to treat or manage pain for the Medicaid program or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). It would ensure that state-run healthcare programs have equal access to non-addictive, non-opioid alternatives to pain management for the Hoosiers they serve.
A few weeks ago, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved suzetrigine (marketed as Journavx). This first-of-its-kind non-opioid medication offers patients a new way to manage pain without risking opioid addiction. It is the first new class of pain management medication in more than 20 years and represents a significant advancement in treating acute pain. HB 1358 seeks to integrate innovative, non-addictive treatments into our state government practices and programs.
The opioid epidemic has already cost us too many lives, and by adopting HB 1358, we can give healthcare providers more tools to treat pain without relying on opioids. It is good public policy. Our state should be offering safer alternatives. By adopting the language in my bill, we can ensure that medical advancements are accessible to all Hoosiers, promoting better health outcomes and a brighter future for our communities.