H.R. 1227 explained · 119th Congress · Pending in Congress
Alternatives to PAIN Act
Cosponsors: 114 (63 D, 51 R) · per Congress.gov, 2026-10-12
Introduced: 2025-02-12
Latest action (2025-02-12): Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
What H.R. 1227 does, in plain terms
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.
Official summary by the Congressional Research Service, via Congress.gov.
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