Direct D.H.H.S. to fund and implement the National Pain Strategy to reduce the public health burden of chronic pain.

Costing $635 billion annually, 100 million Americans and 80% of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan (and 50% of all veterans) suffer from chronic pain. Current research, education and treatment efforts are inadequate to address this epidemic, which often leads to suicide. In response, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) developed the National Pain Strategy (NPS), the country’s first strategic plan to achieve a system of safe, effective, high-quality pain care informed by scientific evidence. The NPS will promote research, health care provider training, insurance coverage for individualized pain care, and public awareness of pain. Millions of families can no longer wait for solutions and urge the Administration to direct DHHS to swiftly fund and implement the NPS.