ADVOCACY

We will transform how pain is understood and treated.

OUR ADVOCACY GOALS & METHODS

We work to:

  • eliminate impediments to care, including arbitrary limits on medication.

  • promote education about pain.

  • promote research funding that reflects how common and costly pain is.

  • promote access to and payment for a range of pain treatment.

  • promote care grounded in dignity, science, compassion, and innovation.

 

We educate about:

  • the many kinds of pain, and the recognition that chronic pain can be a disease.

  • the difference between dependence and addiction, and the understanding that people may require and appropriately use medication.

  • the need for fair and effective pain treatment and research.

  • the life-limiting and disabling pain consequences of poorly treated pain.

  • the personal and social costs of our failure to invest in managing pain.

NPAC is a policy-focused advocacy group working for systems level change.

NPAC advocates, in accordance with federal and state laws, to advance research, rights and care for all people in pain.

Unfortunately, we cannot do case work for individual patients nor intervene with their doctors.


 

OUR ETHICS

 

Three layers of protection ensure that our work is separated from commercial relationships or interests.

As an organization, we pledge to not accept funds from pharmaceutical companies or others in industry that may create actual or perceived conflicts of interest.

Our team has submitted disclosures, and we have a recusal process.

We receive funding from the Ford Foundation, Boarealis Philanthropy, and individual donors. 

 

RECENT NPAC ADVOCACY

DEA Proposed Rule on Telemedicine Prescribing

NPAC submitted extensive comments on the DEA Rule, Special Registrations for Telemedicine, and Limited State Telemedicine.  


Comprehensive Evaluation of the Implementation and Uptake of the CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain

NPAC provided input in response to the CDC’s request for comment on its proposal to evaluate the implementation success of its 2022 Opioid Prescribing Guideline.  


National Institutes of Health HEAL Initiative Request for Information

NPAC provided ten recommendations on how the Initiative, which is undergoing strategic planning, can better address the unmet needs of people living with pain.  


National Institutes of HEAL ENGAGE Request for Information 

NPAC provided input on this new effort by the NIH to to increase public engagement in clinical research and to promote accountability, transparency, and responsiveness to community needs.  

HHS/OCR Proposed Updated and Expanded Regulations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act 

NPAC submitted comments on discrimination in medical treatment


DEA’s Proposed Aggregate Production Quotas for Schedule I and II Controlled Substances.  

NPAC submitted extensive comments opposing DEA’s proposed reduction of the medical supply of opioids for the 8th consecutive year



Advancing Research for Chronic Pain Act

 NPAC sent an extensive letter to the Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate HELP Committee supporting this Act


Colorado Adopts Law Protecting Prescription Drugs for Chronic Pain

NPAC is advocating in Colorado to protect prescription drugs for people with pain.


DEA’s Concurrent Proposed Rules on Telemedicine Prescribing of Controlled Medications

NPAC filed extensive comments on DEA proposals to roll back telemedicine prescribing of controlled medications warning of immense patient harm if implemented.


Federation of State Medical Boards

NPAC filed a comment on the Federation of State Medical Board’s draft update to its prescribing guideline.


Health and Human Services Rule

NPAC filed a comment on the Department of Health and Human Services’ proposed rule related to Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Nondiscrimination in Health Programs and Activities. Our comment focused on discriminatory Clinical Care Algorithms.


Board of Pharmacy Specialties

NPAC filed a letter in support of the Board of Pharmacy Specialties’ effort to establish a pain management pharmacy practice board specialty.


Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)

NPAC filed a formal comment on the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ proposal to create a Bundle Payment on Chronic Pain Management. NPAC endorses the idea but highlights several concerns about the bundle’s design and implementation.


CDC 2022 Guideline

NPAC filed its extensive written comment on the CDC’s 2022 proposed prescribing Guideline.


Minnesota Bill

NPAC supported a bill in Minnesota to protect care for people with pain.


US Supreme Court Amicus Brief

NPAC filed an amicus curiae brief in Ruan v. US and Kahn v. US on the proper standard for holding prescribers liable under the Controlled Substances Act. We focused on the “chilling effect” on pain care and risks to patient safety of incorrect standards.

Update:

In June 2022, the Supreme Court Ruled Unanimously (9-0) in Ruan v. US, entirely adopting the argument made by NPAC as Amicus Curiae.

For a full list of NPAC’s Advocacy, visit our Advocacy Archive

ADVOCACY OPPORTUNITIES NPAC IS WATCHING

 

NPAC is watching a number of activities.

Have a Suggestion? Email info@nationalpain.org.

 
 

ADVOCACY HISTORY

Our actions have already influenced important policy change: