Benishek Questions VA on Pain Management at Hearing Committee Hearing Follows Reports of Widespread Overprescription

Washington, D.C. – Following reports of VA doctors over-prescribing opiates to veterans with chronic pain, the House Committee on Veterans Affairs held a hearing today on Pain Management at the Department. An addiction to pain drugs has been repeatedly cited as a cause for suicide among veterans.

“With a veteran taking their own life every hour, it is clear that this is an issue we must deal with now. Every veteran with chronic pain deserves access to a pain management specialist who can serve their individual needs. We must hold the VA accountable to this standard,” said Dr. Benishek, who worked at the VA in Iron Mountain, MI for over 20 years.

Congressman Benishek recently introduced the Demanding Accountability for Veterans Act, a bill that would require the VA Inspector General to indicate the names of individuals responsible solving for issues like these and to implement steps to ensure that the problems are addressed.