Stakeholders Expect Successful Repeal of Intractable Pain Act after Bill Clears Senate

After 14 years of existence, a controversial Tennessee law that critics blame for helping the state become one of the worst pockets of opioid addiction in the nation is hurtling toward the trash can. Senate Bill 157, which would repeal Tennessee’s Intractable Pain Treatment Act of 2001, cleared the Senate in a 33-0 vote last week and the House of Representatives’ Health Committee on Wednesday. Though a similar bill failed in the Legislature last year, a major opponent of the legislation said he expects this year’s effort to be successful. “I think it's absolut...