Utilize part of the $1-billion granted toward the opioid epidemic to help the chronic pain pandemic in America.

We request that a portion of the $1 billion allocated toward the opioid abuse epidemic be utilized to help the chronic pain pandemic, through funding for improved prevention, treatment, research, provider and patient education and public awareness. Chronic Pain is a major health problem in the United States. According to the American Academy of Pain Medicine, 100 million adult Americans have chronic pain conditions, not including acute or pediatric pain. Pain affects more Americans than diabetes, heart disease and cancer combined. Pain costs society at least $560-$635 annually, equal to $2,000 for everyone living in the U.S. The total incremental cost of health care due to pain ranges between $261-$300 billion and $297-$336 billion due to lost productivity.