Bill Keating: “I would like to thank Chairman Miller of Florida for his assistance with this amendment, as well as the gentleman from…”

“I would like to thank Chairman Miller of Florida for his assistance with this amendment, as well as the gentleman from California (Mr. Takano). I rise to offer an amendment to H.R. 5620 that would direct healthcare providers with VA affiliation to take continuing education courses specific to pain management, opioids, and substance abuse. Nationally, about 30 percent of Americans have some type of chronic pain that they report. However, for veterans--and our elderly veterans--that number escalates dramatically, with 50 percent reporting chronic pain. And it is even more--almost double that--as 60 percent of veterans returning from the current conflict in the Middle East report some type of chronic pain that needs administration. In fact, this type of malady is the most common medical problem experienced by returning combat veterans in the entire last decade. So it is the number one reported problem that our veterans returning home from combat have to endure. According to VA data, over half a million veterans are receiving prescriptions for opioids. The number of veterans with opioid use disorders has grown 55 percent over the last 5 years alone. Additionally, the American Public Health Association found that veterans are twice as likely to overdose on prescription opioids as are members of the general population. Of course, pain management isn't just a stand-alone problem for our veterans.…”