Your Academy joined a coalition of medical specialty societies in sending letters to the Senate Judiciary Committee and the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee on the importance of balancing efforts to combat the fentanyl crisis with the need to ensure that patients with conditions such as advanced cancer and neurological disorders are able to access necessary opioid therapies.

These letters were sent ahead of hearings in these committees during the week of February 3, 2025, focusing on the public health risks of illicit fentanyl and whether fentanyl should be permanently classified under the Controlled Substances Act.

The letters also highlighted issues caused by the implementation of the SUPPORT Act, which has hindered access to certain treatments for severe pain, especially for patients using intrathecal pain pumps which was further emphasized in previous letters your Academy joined with the Multisociety Pain Workgroup. These letters urged the federal government to address regulatory barriers and clarify access to these critical therapies while maintaining proper oversight.

Please contact Academy staff at healthpolicy@aapmr.org with any questions or concerns.