[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 54 (Tuesday, March 31, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E832-E833]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 NATIONAL PAIN CARE POLICY ACT OF 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 30, 2009

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support 
of H.R. 756, the ``National Pain Care Policy Act of 2009.'' I would 
like to thank Congresswoman Lois Capps from California for this 
important health care legislation.


                               background

  This legislation requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services 
to seek an agreement with the Institute of Medicine to convene a 
Conference on Pain that:
  (1) Increases the recognition of pain as a significant public health 
problem in the United States;
  (2) Evaluates the adequacy of assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and 
management of acute and chronic pain;
  (3) Identifies barriers to appropriate pain care; and
  (4) Establishes an agenda to reduce such barriers and significantly 
improve the state of pain care research, education, and clinical care 
in the United States by allowing the Secretary to enter into an 
agreement with another appropriate entity if the Institute of Medicine 
declines.
  This legislation will also amend the Public Health Service Act to 
require the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to 
continue and expand, through the Pain Consortium, an aggressive program 
of basic and clinical research on the causes of and potential 
treatments for pain.

[[Page E833]]

  The Secretary will be required to establish the Interagency Pain 
Research Coordinating Committee to:
  (1) Develop a summary of advances in federal pain care research 
relevant to the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of pain and 
diseases and disorders associated with pain; and
  (2) Identify critical gaps in basic and clinical research on the 
symptoms and causes of pain.
  Most importantly, it allows the Secretary to provide for education 
and training to health care professionals in pain care including the 
requirement to establish and implement a national pain care education 
outreach and awareness campaign to educate consumers, patients, their 
families, and other caregivers.


                                general

  The American Pain Foundation provides its members and the public with 
several tips to dealing with pain relief, they advise pain sufferers to 
be active in their pain management.
  Sufferers should not be afraid to speak up. Only you know the extent 
of your pain and how it affects your quality of life.
  Knowledge is power. There are a variety of drug and non-drug 
therapies (e.g., physical therapy, yoga, meditation) available to 
effectively control pain; these are typically used in combination. 
People need to ask their healthcare providers about ways to relax and 
cope with pain.
  Tell your provider what over-the-counter medications, vitamins and 
supplements you take, at what dose and how often. Also let him or her 
know about other personal health habits (e.g., smoking tobacco, alcohol 
use), which can interfere with some pain treatments and increase pain 
levels.
  Write down questions you have before each appointment, and tell your 
provider(s) if there is something you don't understand and bring a 
relative or friend to the appointments for support.
  It is often the little things that make all the difference in pain 
management. I urge my colleagues to remember that everyday persistent 
pain can interfere with people's enjoyment of life. It can make it hard 
to sleep, work, socialize with friends and family and accomplish 
everyday tasks. When your ability to function is limited, you may 
become less productive. People find themselves avoiding hobbies and 
other activities that normally bring them happiness in order to prevent 
further injury or pain. Ongoing pain can cause you to lose your 
appetite, feel weak and depressed. This legislation provides more 
resources to manage their pain and reclaim their life.

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