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| Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images |
While you may see a lot of bickering on the news reports about health care reform, there is some bipartisan work going on that could benefit people living with chronic pain, provided the bill passes. In June the National Pain Care Act of 2009, introduced by Sens. Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Orin Hatch (R-UT), and supported by the American Pain Foundation, was unanimously adopted by the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions as one of the amendments to the healthcare reform bill.
What's sad, though, is that while Republicans have spent much time working up about 160 amendments to be included in health care reform for America, according to most news reports at least, more likely than not, none of them are planning on voting for it, no matter what. You may remember Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) from the Finance committee stating flat out that he just would not vote for a health care reform bill - even though he is a key author on the bill they plan to unveil this week. But I digress.
In the House the bill was H.R. 756; in the Senate it's S. 660. I blogged about it when the Pain Care Act was passed by the House, back in March.
Standing up for your rights is tough when you have pain because it's so isolating and draining. But September is Pain Awareness Month and there is strength in numbers, so let's look at a few ways you might be able to advocate for yourself and others while we wait for the Pain Care Act to (hopefully) become law. The American Pain Foundation has ideas:
- Raise Awareness
- Sign a Petition
- Find a Local Event
- Learn More About Chronic Pain at About.com's Pain Site
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| House Passes National Pain Care Act 2009 | Back Pain | Pain Management |
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I PAY YEARLY $4128.00(11 YRS. TOTAL PD $300,000 TO $500,000)FOR FAMILY HEALTH INSURANCE. PRIO TO THIS, I WORKED FOR A FACTORY AND PAID A LARGE AMOUNT ALSO FOR HEALTH INSURANCE. MY HUSBAND WORKED FOR JOHN DEERE AND PAID FOR INSURANCE TOO.DELIVERANCE OF BOTH OUR CHILDREN WERE DEDUCTED FROM BOTH OUR INSURANCES AND BOTH DELIVERENCES DIDN’T EQUAL TO A 1/4 PAID IN.MY POINT IS THIS, OUR INSURANCE IS VERY LIMITED AND I AND MY HUSBAND DEAL WITH BACK PAIN AND OTHER ILLNESSES. I AND HE WOULD LOVE TO GET PHYSICAL THERAPY, HIGHER DISCOUNTS BREAKS ON EYE GLASSES AND DENTAL ACCESSORIES, DERMATOLOGY, DENISTRY, OPTOMETRIST, AND WEIGHT MANAGEMENT BREAKS. WE HAVE CERTAINLY PAID IN ENOUGH TO COVER IT ALL, WE MUST REMEDY OURSELF AND CONTRIBUTE TO OTHERS AS WELL AS INVEST ON OUR FUTURE NEEDS. I’M NOT A QUITER AND POLITICIANS ARE HANDLING OUR MONEY AS THOUGH THEY EARNED IT AND IT IS NOT FAIR TO ANY ALL AMERICANS TO BE TREATED THIS WAY. I GIVE IT TO GOD AND KNOW THAT A RICH MAN CHANCES OF GOING TO HEAVEN IS LIKE A CAMEL GOING THROUGH A NEEDLE HOLE. PUT GOD 1ST AND KEEP PRAYER IN YOUR LIFE IS WHAT WE DO TO BLOCK OUT OUR PAIN. WE DEAL WITH PAIN, PRAY ABOUT IT, AND GIVE IT TO GOD(FAITH).
Are you serious? A person with chronic pain will not say leave it to god!! They would say give me the medical care I need and deserve!