NH Congress members hold field hearing on opioid prescribing practices among veterans

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CONCORD, NH – Congresswoman Annie Kuster, D-NH, on Friday hosted the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee (HVAC) Oversight and Investigations (O&I) Subcommittee for a field hearing in New Hampshire.  The hearing, entitled “Addressing VA Opioid Prescriptions and Pain Management Practices,” examined current pain management practices within the Veterans Administration and its connection to the ongoing opioid epidemic sweeping across New Hampshire and the rest of the country.

“We know that there is an undeniable link between opioid pain medication and heroin use, and it is our duty to protect our nation’s veterans from misguided pain treatment practices that could put them on the path to addiction. The brave men and women who have served in the Armed Forces have sacrificed so much to protect our way of life, and we must ensure that they receive medical care that will support a healthy, safe transition back to civilian life,” Kuster said. “What’s more, this hearing opened a discussion between the VA and community leaders that are also working to address the broader heroin epidemic plaguing New Hampshire. I thank my colleagues and today’s witnesses for taking the time to be a part of today’s hearing.”

“It’s clear that VA’s over-reliance on prescription opiates to address chronic pain has been harmful to both veterans and our nation,” said Representative Coffman, Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on O&I. “If it is shown that safe and effective alternative treatments are working at White River Junction or at other VA centers, VA should ensure these programs are implemented nationwide.  I look forward to continuing to work with Representative Kuster on moving these potentially life-changing treatments forward.”

Congressman Guinta, who has worked closely with Kuster in Washington, D.C., in the effort to aid NH as it struggles with this epidemic, also attended the hearing.

“In Congress, my colleagues and I are constantly looking for ways to improve their health care at the Veterans Administration.

Congressman Frank Guinta, R-NH, had a chance to speak with area veterans at Friday's field hearing in Concord.
Congressman Frank Guinta, R-NH, had a chance to speak with area veterans at Friday\’s field hearing in Concord.

In the middle of an opiate and heroin epidemic, affecting nearly every demographic, we must be especially careful that vets in need of pain management assistance do not become victims of opiate over-prescription, leading to other forms of drug abuse. As a founding member of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, I appreciate the opportunity to hear from the experts and to add their advice to legislative solutions in Congress,” Guinta said.

Participants questioned New Hampshire Attorney General Joe Foster, local service organizations committed to helping veterans with substance use disorder, and representatives from the Manchester and White River Junction VA Medical Centers on a variety of topics related to substance use disorder (SUD) and pain management within the veteran community. The participants’ questions addressed issues surrounding access to alternative pain management therapies, best pain management practices within the VA, and possible reduction in the amount of opioids being prescribed to veterans under the VA’s Opioid Safety Initiative, among other topics.

 

About this Author

Carol Robidoux

PublisherManchester Ink Link

Longtime NH journalist and publisher of ManchesterInkLink.com. Loves R&B, German beer, and the Queen City!