Compassionate Pain Relief Act

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jan 21, 1993

Compassionate Pain Relief Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a 60-month program under which parenteral diacetylmorphine may be dispensed from pharmacies for the relief of pain from terminal cancer (as defined by this Act). States that for purposes of such program the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and titles II and III of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 shall not apply with respect to: (1) the importing of opium; and (2) the manufacture, distribution, and dispensing of parenteral diacetylmorphine. Requires the Secretary to report to specified congressional committees concerning: (1) program-related activities; and (2) activities related to the management of pain. Permits the Secretary at any time six months after implementation of the program to modify or terminate the program if: (1) the program is no longer needed; or (2) modifications or termination are needed to prevent substantial diversion of the diacetylmorphine.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Inouye, Daniel K. [D-HI] · D–HI

Committees

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Jan 21, 1993
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources.
Jan 21, 1993
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S562-564)
Jan 21, 1993
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in Senate · Jan 21, 1993 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 26, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze S.124 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss S.124, 103rd Congress: Compassionate Pain Relief Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/senate-bill/124

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1993-01-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/s124/BILLS-103s124is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-26T13:49:09Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze S.124 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.124 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss S.124, 103rd Congress: Compassionate Pain Relief Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/senate-bill/124

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1993-01-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/s124/BILLS-103s124is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-26T13:49:09Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.124 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.124 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Discuss S.124, 103rd Congress: Compassionate Pain Relief Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/senate-bill/124

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1993-01-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/s124/BILLS-103s124is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-26T13:49:09Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.124 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.124 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

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Discuss S.124, 103rd Congress: Compassionate Pain Relief Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/senate-bill/124

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1993-01-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/s124/BILLS-103s124is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-26T13:49:09Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.124 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.