Veterans Mental Health and Other Care Improvements Act of 2008 (S 2162
by Swamp Pundit[click on the McCain Google Adsense banner, watch your ad click dollars go to a worthwhile cause, then please read the following press statement from the American Pain Foundation]
PRESS RELEASE
CONTACT: Tina Regester Ph: (443) 690-4707
tregester@painfoundation.org
Statement attributable to: Will Rowe, Chief Executive Officer, American Pain Foundation
THE AMERICAN PAIN FOUNDATION IS PLEASED THE PRESIDENT HAS SIGNED THE MILITARY AND VETERANS PAIN CARE ACTS INTO LAW
New Laws Will Provide Needed Pain Assessment and Treatment to Millions of Military Personnel and Veterans
Baltimore, MD—(October 15, 2008)—“Today is a momentous occasion for all of our military personnel and veterans who have bravely served our country, many afflicted with debilitating and traumatic injuries that result in lifelong chronic pain and recovery. The American Pain Foundation (APF) celebrates the signing into law two bills that include critical provisions for pain care policy improvements.
“The Veterans Pain Care Policy Act (S 2160), originally introduced in the Senate by Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Senator Daniel Akaka (HI) in 2007, and amended to the Veterans Mental Health and Other Care Improvements Act of 2008 (S 2162), will include a provision to establish a pain care program within all inpatient Veteran’s Administration (VA) facilities and provide the necessary pain management for long‐term chronic pain disabilities. The law will also require providing education and training to VA healthcare professionals on how to assess and treat pain, as well as increasing research on pain care.
“The Military Pain Care Policy Act of 2008 (HR 5465), originally introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressman David Loebsack, and amended as part of the National Defense Authorization Act, will require the Department of Defense to implement a pain care initiative to provide comprehensive pain care for active and retired military personnel.
“Thus far, more than 30,000 soldiers have been wounded in action in Iraq and another 2,000 soldiers have been injured in Afghanistan. Pain is a leading cause of disability among veterans. Nearly half of those returning from combat in Iraq and Afghanistan report pain‐related problems. The Department of Defense does not have an adequate pain care program to access and treat them. Although advancements in body and vehicle armor, medical triage and rapid evacuation to medical care have improved soldiers’ chances for survival, it also means more wounded soldiers, who would have lost their lives in previous wars, now suffer terrible extremity wounds and other blunt injuries. These courageous men and women are in the prime of their lives, which are forever changed. They must have access to quality, coordinated pain care that also helps them to reintegrate into society.
“Our current military personnel and veterans have served our country proudly and with honor, but have been suffering senselessly. Their voices have long been heard by the American Pain Foundation and other national partnering agencies that have urged the passage of legislation to improve pain care. The bi‐partisan work and support from our legislators and the signing into law by the President upholds the standard of medical care our military men and women unequivocally deserve and need.”
# # #
About the American Pain Foundation
Founded in 1997, the American Pain Foundation (APF) is an independent nonprofit 501(c) 3 organization serving people with pain through information, advocacy and support. The mission of APF is to improve the quality of life of people by raising public awareness, providing practical information, promoting research and advocating to remove barriers and increase access to effective pain management. For more information, visit www.painfoundation.org.
About APF’s Military/Veteran Initiative
This initiative was formed to reach out to active military and veterans who are in pain and provide them with educational information, and support to improve their pain care, decrease their sense of isolation, and encourage them in their pursuit of a better quality of life for themselves and their families. Visit http://www.painfoundation.org/page.asp?file=Veterans/Intro.htm.
Comments (0)
No comments yet.