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“National Pain Care Policy Act of 2008” Passes Congress. On to the Senate.

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Posted 9/26/2008 9:57 AM (GMT 0)
I hope this raises public awareness, and helps those in pain who are not being treated or under-treated. Here's the Press Release.

http://www.painfoundation.org/Newsroom/HousePassesNPCPA092408.pdf

Posted 9/26/2008 10:34 AM (GMT 0)
I'm glad to see that there's an attempt to raise public awareness. It'd be nice to actually be able to see PM docs and no have to feel like I'm on a suspect list while checking in for meds. As well as if there's more cross communication amongst agencies and researchers, there's more likely to be better treatments.
Posted 9/26/2008 1:36 PM (GMT 0)
My husband was released from the hospital for a minor operation. His doctor
prescribed Darvocet-N. The pharmacist said something about a new bill that would
cause doctors to be more willing to prescribe pain medications.
He said that's a good thing because it keeps people out of the hospital. (Convalescent?)
He then said it a bad thing because doctors now would prescribe to addicts.
The pharmacist said that doctors prescribe now because they are afraid of law suits
if they leave their patients in pain.
I'm not sure at this point what the bill said or what the pharmacist said!
I'm kinda in the dark. Hope someone comes along to help my confusion.
Pamela
Posted 9/26/2008 3:38 PM (GMT 0)
I have a PS!!!!

After a bill passes congress, does it go on to the senate? If so, I'll write my
congresswomen -- Barbara Boxer & Diane Finestein.
Actually, I just wrote to them on another issue that Oprah and all of us are concerned
about.
It's just that I don't know about the senate and congress.
Politically Insecure,
Pamela smilewinkgrin
Posted 9/26/2008 5:39 PM (GMT 0)
Pamela,
If you're going to write to Congress, timing is everything. They're pretty busy right now (can't get political here) but then they break until after the elections. Basically, little to nothing will get done until the next President is sworn in.

Congress is made up of two "houses' - the Senate and the House of Representatives. A bill must past both houses - and it's a long, complicated process in many instances in which a bili goes back and forth between houses and committees - before it goes to the President for his/her signature. Watch the news right now and you''ll get a good education on how this all happens in a crisis. If someone is addressed as "Senator" then they are a member of the Senate; each state gets two Senators, so there's a total of 100. The House of Representatives is elected based on population and is more complicated so there are over 400 members of the House, and they're referred to as "Representative".

I wouldn't waste your time writing anyone about pain issues right now. I'd wait until next year, when hopefully health care will be on the agenda. I also think working with pain organizations such as the one referenced in the above article is our best way to advocate, because it joins us with doctors, and I know a lot of us have trouble with doctors, but these are the doctors who believe our pain is undertreated and understand why. Without joining WITH these people with "M.D." after their name, I don't think we'll get very far. But with them, I think is where our power lies.

PaLady
Posted 9/26/2008 6:14 PM (GMT 0)
There's no time like election season to make noise. I know the Senate is busy now, but they still tackle other issues. It can't hurt.
Posted 9/26/2008 6:50 PM (GMT 0)
Well, hmmm .....
I don't want to wait till next year.
I will write my short letter now.
Oprah did mention that timing was of great importance.
Her issue was about predators who sell sexual material on
the computer. The problem is growing at an alarming rate.
I believe a personal letter is worth about 5,000 phone calls
(or something like that. I do wish I had the statistics.)
Thanks you,Pal. I'm printing it out. I must have
been looking at the boys playing baseball during
senior high civics. I'll bet I'm not the only one.
Pamela shocked
Posted 9/26/2008 6:54 PM (GMT 0)
DiLane,
I've been involved in a lot of political campaigns and similar activities. What too often happens is that people spend there energy when the timing is poor, then are discouraged that nothing ever changes. The lobbyists know this well. BOTH houses of Congress were scheduled to recess today until after the election, and they wiil recess as soon as they get this economic thing settled. That means they're on vacation, in essence, until after the election. And then, member of Congress who haven't been re-elected will have little power to get anything done at all. Election season is good for voting for people who you think support your positions; the most important thing we could do now is inform ourselves about not just the Presidential candidates here in the U.S., but our Congressional representatives (federal level), as well as any local and state officials running for re-election. I'd suggest spending the time between now and election day trying to learn about their positions on issues which affect us chronic pain patients, and then using your power at the ballot box. Then next year, learning about legislative initiatives at state and federal levels and writing your representatives when it counts.

PaLady
Posted 9/26/2008 7:00 PM (GMT 0)
Pamela - smilewinkgrin

You're right, it is high school civics - to a degree. The legislative process gets even more complicated, but organized efforts timed properly CAN work.

And FYI - it's Senator Barbara Boxer and Representative Diane Fienstein. So that tells you which "houses" they belong to, right? (this will be on the test! yeah)

i just hate to see people get frustrated when their efforts don't work, and then they stop trying to participate in the process. I'd better be careful, because political discussions aren't allowed here and I don't know if I've already overstepped the rules. If so, I have no problem with a moderator editing my posts. I've tried to stay neutral as far as any candidates go, but it is an explanation of government structures.

PaLady
Posted 9/26/2008 7:08 PM (GMT 0)
No Politics!!
Holy cats. I wanted to play "The View"
You know, Whoopie, Joy, Barbara Walters, Elizabeth, and Sherry.
That TV show got so hot today I thought the TV would explode.
PAl, I've always been political -- a different kind. I need to find out stuff.
Anybody know where I should go to find out political stuff on the
internet?
Pamela Neckpain will not speak of politics here ;-X
Posted 9/26/2008 7:08 PM (GMT 0)
No Politics!!
Holy cats. I wanted to play "The View"
You know, Whoopie, Joy, Barbara Walters, Elizabeth, and Sherry.
That TV show got so hot today I thought the TV would explode.
PAl, I've always been political -- a different kind. I need to find out stuff.
Anybody know where I should go to find out political stuff on the
internet?
Pamela Neckpain will not speak of politics here ;-
Posted 9/26/2008 7:53 PM (GMT 0)
Pamela,
If what you're looking for is information specific to pain, then the article DiLane posted from the American Pain Foundaiton is a good place to start. That's a great example of lobbying for change. I'd suggest going to their site, signing up, and following their lead in how to make sure this legislation gets implemented - which is the next phase. Since it will be house in the Department of Health & Human Services, that will be the place to look, but the pain foundation will be on top of this. That way they can tell you what to write to who when.

If you're looking for more general info. re: civics 101, a google search should give you some information on the American government.

And info. about the current political debate, well, that's almost everywhere! Google a candidate's name or an issue and that should get you more info.

I didn't see the View today. Wish I had! Always keeps me awake!

PaLady
p.s. In case you've not heard, there's a Presidential debate tonight. Should be televised on almost all the networks.
Posted 9/27/2008 12:15 AM (GMT 0)
A good non-partisan site to see where politicians stand on issues is here. It's a little outdated, but it's all there. Click on Issues, and then the politican.

http://www.issues2000.org/default.htm

Also, The American Pain Foundation sends e-mail alerts, if you sign up for it. It's a handy little tool. That's how I found out about the House passing the Pain Bill. Registering for the site isn't necessary, and I only filled in the necessary fields.  

http://action.painfoundation.org/site/PageServer?pagename=registration

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