President's Advocacy Message
A Message from Jan Chambers, President of the National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association
"People with chronic pain conditions are increasingly facing unprecedented obstacles, challenges, and stigmatization in seeking healthcare for pain relief and quality of life. The National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association (NFMCPA) is very concerned about arbitrary state legislation and federal policies that limit how doctors practice medicine and ignores the unintended negative consequences to patients. Chronic pain is a disease that must be treated and managed just as diabetes, addiction, and heart disease are.Along with 16 other patient organizations, the NFMCPA created a united voice to collaboratively advocate, educate, and push for changes in how chronic pain is perceived, judged, treated, and researched. Opposing harmful legislation and supporting pro-active initiatives can only be successful if you and thousands of other people speak loudly with us. Together we can make a difference.
I know it's tough to step up and advocate for yourself and others. But if we don't do it, who will? Several years ago my loved ones were shocked and uncomfortable when I first decided to talk to a local newspaper reporter about how my chronic pain condition impacted my life and theirs. Being silent has not helped us receive fair federal research funding to discover better treatments or understand how chronic pain causes additional health problems.
It's imperative that we send united messages. Many strong voices are powerful and to be successful, they must have laser-like focus to address the legislative challenges one by one. Being informed about the issues, understanding the stated objectives, and taking action is easy. The NFMCPA
1) uses national surveys to learn directly which issues are most pressing;
2) sends out e-alerts to issue Calls to Action on state and federal legislative action;
3) has created a website for you to tell us how you are impacted by recent policy and legislative changes; and
3) reports back to you publicly on survey results using NFMCPA monthly newsletters and Facebook posts.
The seriousness of the issues has brought together healthcare providers, patient advocacy organizations, and professional medical associations to take urgent action together with thousands of patients. You are central to helping develop the united messages and carrying them out to the public, elected officials in states and in Washington, DC.
Please take a moment and sign up for e-alerts for both state action and surveys. YOUR VOICE MATTERS.
I know it's tough to step up and advocate for yourself and others. But if we don't do it, who will? Several years ago my loved ones were shocked and uncomfortable when I first decided to talk to a local newspaper reporter about how my chronic pain condition impacted my life and theirs. Being silent has not helped us receive fair federal research funding to discover better treatments or understand how chronic pain causes additional health problems.
It's imperative that we send united messages. Many strong voices are powerful and to be successful, they must have laser-like focus to address the legislative challenges one by one. Being informed about the issues, understanding the stated objectives, and taking action is easy. The NFMCPA
1) uses national surveys to learn directly which issues are most pressing;
2) sends out e-alerts to issue Calls to Action on state and federal legislative action;
3) has created a website for you to tell us how you are impacted by recent policy and legislative changes; and
3) reports back to you publicly on survey results using NFMCPA monthly newsletters and Facebook posts.
The seriousness of the issues has brought together healthcare providers, patient advocacy organizations, and professional medical associations to take urgent action together with thousands of patients. You are central to helping develop the united messages and carrying them out to the public, elected officials in states and in Washington, DC.
Please take a moment and sign up for e-alerts for both state action and surveys. YOUR VOICE MATTERS.
