Sponsors (36)
The bill would expand and standardize access to FDA‑approved non‑opioid postoperative pain treatments for veterans—potentially reducing opioid harms—while likely increasing VA drug costs, shifting some funding pressures away from a toxic‑exposure fund, and imposing tight implementation deadlines on VA administrators.
Veterans will gain faster access to FDA‑approved non‑opioid postoperative pain treatments, expanding non‑opioid options available through VA care.
Veterans receiving surgery are likely to have reduced exposure to opioids and lower risk of opioid-related harms (addiction, overdose) because non‑opioid drugs will be included on the VA formulary.
VA hospitals and veterans will experience more consistent postoperative pain care because standardizing inclusion of these products across VA facilities simplifies prescribing and procurement.
Taxpayers and the VA medical system may face higher drug spending or procurement costs because the bill mandates formulary inclusion within fixed timelines.
Veterans relying on toxic‑exposure programs could see reduced resources because the bill prohibits using the Cost of War Toxic Exposures Fund to implement these changes, shifting costs to other VA budgets.
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs and VA facilities could face administrative strain because rapid 90‑day implementation deadlines may force rushed evaluations or procurement decisions.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires the VA to add FDA-authorized non-opioid postoperative analgesics to the VA National Formulary and drug standardization list on a timeline tied to Medicare payment eligibility, with rapid implementation rules.
Official title: To amend title 38, United States Code, to ensure that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs furnishes certain non-opioid pain medications to veterans, and for other purposes.
Introduced July 17, 2025 by Greg Landsman · Last progress July 17, 2025
Requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to add FDA-authorized non-opioid pain-management drugs and biologicals to the VA National Formulary and the VA drug standardization list on a set timetable tied to Medicare/Medicaid payment eligibility. The VA must adopt eligible products within one year of certain Medicare payment milestones and must complete implementation of these amendments within 90 days of enactment; the bill also bars use of the Cost of War Toxic Exposures Fund to carry out the changes.