Association of American Physicians & Surgeons

The Voice for Private Physicians Since 1943

1601 N. Tucson Blvd  Suite 9

Tucson AZ  85716

www.aapsonline.org     

 

IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED:

“THE POLITICS OF PAIN & PAINKILLERS”

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Help stop the war on pain patients & doctors

Urge your Member of Congress to attend Sept. 17 briefing.

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Please let everyone in your network know that distinguished speakers will be presenting a briefing for Congress on Friday, Sept. 17 on "The Politics of Pain.'  (Read about Dr. Ron Myer’s in this week’s PEOPLE magazine and “Dr. Feelscared” by Maia Szalavitz at www.reason.org.)

 

We need to fill the room to capacity so we can make everyone in Congress aware that we are at the breaking pointfor patients and doctors.  We've sent invitations to every office, but the only way we'll get them in the door is if they hear from their constituents that this is an important, life-saving issue that is important to you!

 

All are welcome, including policy experts, physicians, patients or their families.

 

Here's how to help:

 

EVERYONE:

Call or email Congress and urge them or their staff member to attend the briefing.

Congressional switchboard:     (202) 224-3121

Email:                                    www.house.gov/writerep

                                            (you can just forward the message below)

 

 

Mention that this is a BI-PARTISAN EVENT, sponsored by the Association of American Physicians & Surgeons, 60 Plus Organization, Rep. Ron Paul, M.D. (R)  and Rep. John Conyers (D).

 

Also, mention that chronic pain affects about 50 MILLION PEOPLE & THEIR FAMILIES, and COSTS BILLIONS IN TAXPAYER DOLLARS.

 

DOCTORS  & HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS:

If you are a doctor, download the printer ready flyer and hand out to your patients starting today!

CLICK HERE TO DOWLOAD MATERIALS

 

Thanks for your continued efforts for patients everywhere.

 

Association of American Physicians & Surgeons

1601 Tucson Blvd.  Suite 9

Tucson, AZ  85716

(800) 635-1196

(520) 325-4230 Fax

 

TO:            HEALTH CARE & DRUG POLICY STAFF

RE:           "Politics of Pain & Painkillers"  Briefing  Sept. 17,  11 a.m.

Sponsors:    Assoc. of American Physicians & Surgeons, 60 Plus Association,

                   Rep. Ron Paul, M.D., Rep. John Conyers

 

Rev. Ronald Myers, Sr., M.D.

Founder, President, American Pain Institute

Impact on African-American community

(Featured in current issue of PEOPLE magazine 9/14/04)

 

Frank B. Fisher, M.D.,

Exonerated pain management specialist

Myth of available pain treatment

 

Siobhan Reynolds

Founder & President, Pain Relief Network

Impact on families & economic issues

 

            More than 48 million people in the U.S. suffer from chronic pain, according to the National Institutes of Health.  Recent high-profile news cases of opioid usage such as Rush Limbaugh have placed the issue on the front pages, including a debate over dependency vs. addiction, who is “deserving” and who is “undeserving,” of opioid treatment, and whether pain patients should be subjected to different standards of personal scrutiny than other patients. 

 

                The DEA claims drug diversion has reached crisis proportions, justifying increased investigative initiatives that frequently circumvent the Congressional appropriations process. Physicians are being prosecuted and imprisoned, and patients sentenced based on pill counts.  As a result, physicians are afraid, and pain is going untreated.  A bi-partisan amendment sponsored by Reps. Conyers and Paul, M.D., to defund these initiatives failed this session, but is gaining more support.

 

                But efforts by some, including featured panelists, have exposed how news stories have overblown the problem by using faulty statistics and methodology in reporting drug diversion.  The Orlando Sentinel recently retracted a series of articles and fired the reporter.

 

                Medical research and treatment has made tremendous advances in pain management, but is public policy keeping up?  And is law enforcement discouraging patient access to treatment as a result of prosecution of physicians under the Controlled Substances Act?

 

                This distinguished panel will examine the current state of pain management, law enforcement initiatives, patient experiences, economic impact of untreated pain, funding sources, sentencing guidelines, H.R. 3015 prescription drug database act, and solutions for cooperation between lawmakers, regulators, law enforcement and the medical community.

 

RSVP:   briefing@aapsonline.org or (800) 635-1196 by 12:00 noon, Wed.  Sept 15.

Briefing & lunch are free of charge

 

Association of American Physicians & Surgeons

1601 N. Tucson Blvd.  Suite 9 Tucson AZ  85716               800.635.1196       www.AAPSonline.org

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