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NJ Federal Lawmakers Push To Expand Alternative Pain Management Programs

Ang Santos
/
WBGO

St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Paterson implemented a program in 2016 that researches and uses certain pain management methods, as an alternative to prescription opioids. 

“At a time where we have a national crisis, at a time where we have models some of which are here in New Jersey that we know work.  We should be funding those models and expanding those lessons learned,” New Jersey US Senator Cory Booker said. He’s calling for federal funding to create alternative pain management programs in hospital emergency departments nationwide.

“I’m very encouraged that while we are having this crisis, which we are.  One of the largest in generations, we should be investing in what works.  It’s a great use of taxpayers’ dollars.  Making those investments in things that work can drive down the costs of everything from medical care to prisons in the future.”

Booker says the funding can help hospitals drastically limit the use of addictive pain medication.  The bill is part of a legislative package scheduled for committee markup in the Senate this week.