This bill aims to define "integrative pain management" and expand the duties of the New Hampshire opioid abatement advisory commission to include support for pain management services. Integrative pain management is described as a systematic combination of various medical services, both allopathic and non-allopathic, that address the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual needs of patients. It emphasizes person-centered care, focusing on maximizing function and wellness through shared decision-making that aligns with evidence-based clinical practices and the patient's goals and values.

The bill amends RSA 126-A:86, I(b)(16) and (17) by adding new responsibilities to the opioid abatement advisory commission. These include supporting medication-assisted treatment services for patients with chronic pain or those in hospice and palliative care who have benefited from opioid therapy but have faced non-consensual dose reduction or abandonment by providers (insertion of (18)). Additionally, the commission is tasked with increasing access to comprehensive, integrative pain management services as an alternative to opioid therapy for individuals with acute or chronic pain, or those in hospice and palliative care (insertion of (19)). The bill also removes the conjunction "and" after subsection (16) and replaces the period with a semicolon at the end of subsection (17), indicating the addition of new subsections. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage, with an effective date of September 1, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 126-A:86
As Amended by the House: 126-A:86
Version adopted by both bodies: 126-A:86
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 126-A:86