Capps, Rogers Reintroduce Legislation To Help Americans Suffering From Pain

Press Release

Today Congresswoman Lois Capps and Congressman Mike Rogers reintroduced the National Pain Care Policy Act of 2009, legislation to improve pain care research, education, training, access, outreach and care.

"I am pleased to join my colleague Congressman Rogers and ninety-eight organizations representing the pain care community in supporting this legislation that will help millions of Americans suffering from pain," said Capps. "Pain is the leading cause of disability in the United States and is straining our health care system. Fortunately we don't have to remain debilitated by pain. This legislation takes several important steps to improve the assessment, understanding, and treatment of pain. Hopefully this will provide much needed relief for many people suffering from pain."

"Chronic pain is the most common reason people seek medical care," Rogers said. "Pain not only makes daily living more difficult and in many cases can be life threatening, it also puts a heavy financial burden on sufferers and their families. Estimates put the price tag at more than $70 billion for chronic pain conditions accompanying a wide range of diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and arthritis. Moving forward with chronic pain education, access and research is crucial to help find solutions for this major public health problem and growing medical crisis for millions of Americans."

The National Pain Care Policy Act of 2009 would combat pain in four ways: by authorizing an Institute of Medicine Conference on Pain Care; authorizing a Pain Consortium at the National Institutes of Health; providing comprehensive pain care education and training for health care professionals; and by instituting a public awareness campaign on pain management. This legislation is a reintroduction of H.R. 2994 from the 110th Congress, which passed the House of Representatives in 2008. Congresswoman Capps and Congressman Rogers are hopeful that the National Pain Care Policy Act will clear both the House and Senate during the 111th Congress and be signed into law.

Over ninety leading organizations representing the pain care community have joined Congresswoman Capps and Congressman Rogers in support of this legislation, including the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and the American Pain Foundation and a coalition of leading professional organizations in the pain field.

"Cancer patients face a fear of pain that can be worse than the fear of treatment itself," said Daniel E. Smith, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). "This legislation will address significant pain management barriers such as, lack of physician training, patient awareness and treatment disparities based on gender, age and race."

"Passage of the National Pain Care Policy Act is more important than ever" said Dr. Ed Michna, Chair of the Pain Care Coalition. "With pain a huge and growing public health problem in an aging population, a stepped up effort at NIH and other federal agencies is essential. This bill will make pain care a public health priority as Congress considers even more far-reaching health reform measures in the months ahead."

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