State Representative-elect Bryce Berry
Throughout my time as a nonprofit leader, community organizer, and now youngest Representative-elect in Georgia’s history, I’ve seen how even small changes in policy can profoundly impact the daily lives of our citizens. Our state faces significant challenges with opioid use, particularly among our senior population, and addressing this issue requires coordinated action at both the state and federal level. That’s why I strongly support the Alternatives to Prevent Addiction in the Nation (Alternatives to PAIN) Act.
The data on opioid use in Georgia is concerning. In 2018, healthcare providers wrote 63.2 opioid prescriptions for every 100 Georgians. Even more troubling, recent studies show that opioid-related deaths in our state increased by over 39% between 2020 and 2021. Behind these numbers are real Georgia families facing the devastating impact of opioid dependency that often begins with a prescription to help treat pain.
For Georgia’s healthcare providers treating serious pain, having more options can mean the difference between inadvertently starting a patient down a dangerous path or offering them a safer solution. The Alternatives to PAIN Act would ensure Medicare Part D covers non-opioid medications that can effectively manage acute pain without the dependency risks of traditional opioids.
For Georgia’s medical community, this means having a full toolkit of pain management options, not just a one-size-fits-all approach that too often leads to addiction. These innovative treatments could reshape how we think about care, moving us from a system that unintentionally promotes addiction to one that prioritizes both comfort and safety. By making these non-addictive treatments accessible to seniors, we can prevent many cases of opioid addiction before they begin.
It’s very encouraging to see Georgia’s own U.S. Rep. Drew Ferguson and U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock stepping across party lines to champion this crucial legislation. When leaders from different political perspectives can unite behind a healthcare solution, it sends a powerful message – protecting our seniors from unnecessary opioid exposure isn’t a Republican or Democratic issue, it’s the right thing to do. Their joint leadership on this bill shows exactly how we should approach tackling our most pressing public health challenges: together.
Looking beyond the medical benefits, this legislation tackles the real-world obstacles that often force patients toward riskier choices. When seniors face high out-of-pocket costs for safer alternatives, many feel compelled to accept opioid prescriptions purely for financial reasons. The Alternatives to PAIN Act eliminates this impossible choice by ensuring non-opioid treatments won’t cost more than traditional opioids. Just as importantly, it removes the maze of approval processes that can leave patients waiting in pain while safer treatment options remain out of reach.
This is a key time to look into the issue at the state and federal level. Here in Georgia, we are awaiting the results of a study committee on Alternatives to Opioids for Pain Management, highlighting the search for a path forward towards utilization of safer alternatives. State policymakers have worked to implement various programs addressing opioid use, but federal action through the Alternatives to PAIN Act would significantly strengthen these efforts by ensuring our seniors have access to the safest available treatments.
It’s time for the rest of Georgia’s congressional delegation to follow the example set by Representative Ferguson and Senator Warnock. For our seniors dealing with pain, the Alternatives to PAIN Act offers hope for safer treatments and better health outcomes.
State Representative-elect Bryce Berry will represent HD-56, covering portions of west Atlanta.
