This bill aims to significantly advance population research on chronic pain by establishing a comprehensive national information system. It directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) , to utilize existing federal data and collect new deidentified population research data to clarify the incidence and prevalence of chronic pain from various sources. The data collection will focus on identifying gaps and gathering information on specific pain conditions, demographics, risk factors, diagnosis markers, costs, epidemiology, and the effectiveness of both traditional and non-opioid treatment approaches. The bill also requires the development of standardized definitions and research approaches in consultation with chronic pain experts, including patients and clinicians, to ensure data comparability. A key provision is the creation of a public "Chronic Pain Information Hub" by the CDC, which will aggregate federal data, summarize ongoing research, and translate findings into clinical tools and recommendations for closing research gaps. Collaborators involved in developing these standards must disclose any payments from drug or device manufacturers, and the Secretary must report to Congress on the system's implementation within two years. Chronic pain is defined as persistent or recurrent pain lasting longer than three months, with appropriations authorized through fiscal year 2030.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Health
Advancing Research for Chronic Pain Act of 2026
USA119th CongressS-5041| Senate
| Updated: 7/21/2026
This bill aims to significantly advance population research on chronic pain by establishing a comprehensive national information system. It directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) , to utilize existing federal data and collect new deidentified population research data to clarify the incidence and prevalence of chronic pain from various sources. The data collection will focus on identifying gaps and gathering information on specific pain conditions, demographics, risk factors, diagnosis markers, costs, epidemiology, and the effectiveness of both traditional and non-opioid treatment approaches. The bill also requires the development of standardized definitions and research approaches in consultation with chronic pain experts, including patients and clinicians, to ensure data comparability. A key provision is the creation of a public "Chronic Pain Information Hub" by the CDC, which will aggregate federal data, summarize ongoing research, and translate findings into clinical tools and recommendations for closing research gaps. Collaborators involved in developing these standards must disclose any payments from drug or device manufacturers, and the Secretary must report to Congress on the system's implementation within two years. Chronic pain is defined as persistent or recurrent pain lasting longer than three months, with appropriations authorized through fiscal year 2030.