National Pain Strategy Public Comment
May 4, 2015
Dear Members and Friends,
We are at a crucial time in history for people with pain. The very first national strategic plan to advance pain research, education and treatment--The National Pain Strategy (NPS)--has been released for public comment for a short period of time. We need your voice NOW to make sure that the NPS is changed from words on a page to a reality for the millions of Americans who urgently need improved pain care! See the press release announcing that the National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association has been working collaboratively with 16 other organizations as part of the Consumer Pain Advocacy Task Force specifically for this purpose.
The next step in this process is to urge the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to begin the important process of designating funding for NPS and developing a federal oversight body, so that HHS can quickly begin putting the Plan into action as soon as it is finalized and released!
Please take 5 minutes to help by sending a letter to HHS-we've done most of the work for you!
Below is a sample letter that you can personalize and send automatically through this online system. All you have to do is enter your contact information and click "SUBMIT." The sample letter below will then pop open on your screen for you to edit. If you choose, you can also add a sentence or two about yourself so that your letter is not the same as everyone else's. Please click the second SUBMIT button, and you will see a confirmation screen that your letter has been sent. (Alternately, you can copy/paste the letter template below into your own email and send to HHS (ASH@hhs.gov or address listed below for U.S. mail).
Please take action now to influence the National Pain Strategy. This is a big deal for people affected by pain so please let us know if you send a letter, and we'll keep you posted on the progress.
Thank you,
National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association
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Take Action Now!
[Insert Date]
Dr. Wanda Jones, Dr.P.H., Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health
Dr. Anand Parekh, M.D., M.P.H., Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health
Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20201
Dear Drs. Jones and Parekh,
I am a person affected by chronic pain. [Please insert 1-2 sentences here summarizing how your health and quality of life have been impacted by chronic pain and the challenges experienced in obtaining quality medical care and effective treatment. Family members, friends and caregivers of those with pain, please insert 1-2 sentences here describing how your life has been impacted in caring for or supporting your loved one with pain.]
I appreciate the leadership of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health in developing the National Pain Strategy and for providing the public with the opportunity to review the Plan and submit feedback on it.
During this time, I urge the Office to be proactive and begin the important process of creating an oversight body, so that once the Plan is finalized and released, a coordinated implementation effort can begin right away. I also am very concerned about where dollars to pay for the Plan will come from, and urge the Office to do its part in making sure that future budget plans for HHS agencies include NPS efforts. Millions of Americans like me are counting on an improved state of pain care, education and research that is urgently needed and will result from this first-ever comprehensive plan and the hope that it provides for our futures.
Sincerely,
[Insert First and Last Name]
