ATTENTION veterans or healthcare providers for veterans: I have a question

[Seeking Serenity]

I've heard a rumor that the DVA/DoD has implemented a relatively (that is, within the past several months) policy or issued a directive barring VA hospitals or contracted clinics from prescribing opioid pain medication to all veterans except in cases of acute injury or post-op recovery. But that chronic-pain patients are being told that they're going to weaned/cut off.

Can anyone confirm or debunk (with evidence) this? I've seen what looks to be the most recent clinical practice guidelines, but it's from 2010. But the rumor I've heard is that this new policy/guideline is, as I said, relatively recent.

This would be very distressing for me because of dear friends who are on OT (and damn well need to be) through the VA and who are worried sick about this.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[pinboy3niner]

1. The VA started doing this on a limited basis in 2013, then expanded it

Here's a press release from 2 years ago: https://lintvwavy.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/document-va-press-release-on-pain-killer-policy.pdf

Googling VA opioid pain medication turns up lots more results, including news reports, veteran reactions, and vet forums.

[Seeking Serenity]

3. Thanks!

That was a search term I didn't try. But I will now.

[Seeking Serenity]

4. That's perfect. Just what I was looking for!

(A good friend of DH's just got his letter within the past few weeks. He's no addict. But is terribly worried now.)

[HereSince1628]

2. The VA has been responding to changes about opioid prescribing made by DEA a year ago

There have also been several controversies about prescribing pain-killers, so attention is on this issue. The source of your rumor may have encountered a statement about that.

As I understand it those changes were meant to reduce dependence and addiction, -not- meant to interfere with a necessary treatment.

If a patient has a problem with decisions being made about their treatment, they can contact the Patient Advocate Office for their hospital/clinic.