New Military Pain Care Act HR-5465 Supports Comprehensive Care & Establishes Pain As Specialty
The Military Pain Care Act of 2008 was introduced on February 14th in the House of Representatives by Rep. David Loebsack (D-IA). The bill requires the Department of Defense to implement a pain care initiative to administer comprehensive pain care for the many active and retired military personnel being saved in battle who will confront chronic or acute pain.
See Bill Summary
This initiative marks a successful collaborative effort by AAPM and our colleagues on the Pain Care Coalition. It is also noteworthy, because it establishes pain as specialty, and it validates the credentials of the American Board of Pain Medicine (ABPM). A statement on Page 8 of the bill states, ‘‘(v) is directed by one or more physicians credentialed in pain management (or, in appropriate cases, dentistry) by a board or boards approved by the Secretary, which shall include the American Board of Pain Medicine and boards recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties."
Read the Entire Bill
AAPM members are encouraged to contact their representatives and encourage their support of bill HR-5465.
The American Pain Foundation (APF) has an online advocacy center that will automatically send your support to your representatives.
Act Now. (Link takes you to APF's automatic online advocacy center.)
As of March 14th, the bill has 18 cosponsors (below). Encourage your representative to sponsor this worthy initiative.
| Rep Gilchrest, Wayne T. [MD-1] - 2/14/2008 | Rep Bishop, Sanford D., Jr. [GA-2] - 2/14/2008 |
| Rep Johnson, Henry C. "Hank," Jr. [GA-4] - 2/14/2008 | Rep Brady, Robert A. [PA-1] - 2/14/2008 |
| Rep Abercrombie, Neil [HI-1] - 2/14/2008 | Rep Braley, Bruce L. [IA-1] - 2/14/2008 |
| Rep Hooley, Darlene [OR-5] - 2/14/2008 | Rep Shea-Porter, Carol [NH-1] - 2/14/2008 |
| Rep Ellison, Keith [MN-5] - 2/25/2008 | Rep Tauscher, Ellen O. [CA-10] - 2/25/2008 |
| Rep Sestak, Joe [PA-7] - 2/27/2008 | Rep Frank, Barney [MA-4] - 2/27/2008 |
| Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] - 2/27/2008 | Rep Ackerman, Gary L. [NY-5] - 3/6/2008 |
| Rep Capps, Lois [CA-23] - 3/6/2008 | Rep Gordon, Bart [TN-6] - 3/6/2008 |
| Rep Grijalva, Raul M. [AZ-7] - 3/13/2008 | Rep Carnahan, Russ [MO-3] - 3/14/2008 |
This legislation is a marked step forward for pain medicine and the advocacy efforts of the AAPM. Be sure to keep updated on its progress on the advocacy section of the AAPM website and encourage your patients and colleagues to help move it forward.
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