iNDIANAPOLIS, Ind – A bill authored by State Sen. Mark Messmer (R-Jasper) that would help support Hoosiers who experience chronic pain passed the Senate today unanimously.
Senate Bill 162 would require Medicaid, state employee health plans, policies of accident and sickness insurance, and health maintenance organization contracts to provide medical coverage for chronic pain management.
“Chronic pain causes many Hoosiers great discomfort, hindering them from taking part in everyday activities,” Messmer said. “This bill would help those with arthritis, fibromyalgia and other conditions get the assistance and treatment they need.”
In 2018, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that more than 20 percent of adults in the United States live with chronic pain. Chronic pain is a reoccurring pain that lasts more than three months. This is different than acute pain, which alerts a person to an injury or sickness, such as a sprained ankle or stomachache.
SB 162 will now move to the House of Representatives for further consideration.