National Pain Care Policy Act

APF is pleased to report that the Senate’s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee members voted unanimously to include the National Pain Care Policy Act 2009 (S660) as an amendment to the national health care reform bill. Over 300 amendments were proposed for addition to the health care reform bill and 46 amendments, including S660, were accepted.

We are one step closer in having the voices of the millions who struggle with pain heard by the President of the United States! We applaud Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT) for introducing S660 and all of their colleagues in the HELP Committee for recognizing the need for improving pain care and pain management in the U.S.
Please continue to visit APF’s Take Action page for bill progress reports. Thank you for your continued support!

March 30, 2009 - The House Passed the National Pain Care Policy Act of 2009, H.R. 756

Together we have been successful; your voice was heard! Your hard work helped to move this important legislation through the House of Representatives at a remarkable pace. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to improving pain care in America!

Background Information

National Pain Care Policy Act of 2009 (HR 756)
Remarkable advancements took place in passing the amended National Pain Care Policy Act of 2008 in the House of Representatives. Unfortunately, the Senate had little time to act on the bill before the end of the 110th Congressional session. Congresswoman Capps (D-CA) re-introduced the amended bill (HR 756) in the current session, with the sponsorship of Congressman Michael Rogers (R-MI). On March 4th, the U.S. House of Representative’s Energy and Commerce Committee passed the National Pain Care Policy Act of 2009 (H.R. 756) with broad bipartisan support.

National Pain Care Policy Act of 2008 (HR 2994)
The amended National Pain Care Policy Act of 2008 (HR 2994) was passed unanimously by the House of Representatives on September 24, 2008. This bill was sent to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions for its full approval. However, action was not taken due to the closing of this congressional session; the bill will be re-introduced at the beginning of the next session. APF and its collaborators will use and build upon the momentum that was present throughout the year with the goal of having the bill signed by President Obama in 2009.

APF would like to applaud our members and the POP Action Network for taking actions which have helped this bill to thus far gain the momentum and recognition that it deserves. For information on the National Pain Care Policy Act of 2008, read the full press release.

Last Updated: 12/04/09