Letter: Bill supports biomarker testing
This letter originally ran in the Lincoln Journal Star.
News
California Passes New Pain Management Policy
October 3, 2011
On Sunday, Governor Jerry Brown signed into law legislation to improve the stateÈs pain management policy.ξThe new lawξwill make changes to California laws that were identified by the national Pain and Policy Studies Group as being impediments to appropriate pain management.ξ This bill was a focus of the DivisionÈs 2011 State Lobby Day in Sacramento and has been a top priority for state legislative advocacy efforts this year.ξ
AB 507 will remove a provision in state law that negatively impacts the legitimate practice of pain management. Currently the Department of Justice (DOJ) is allowed to require a person who has been prescribed medications to treat pain to submit to a medical evaluation by a physician employed by DOJ. This authority to subject people who have been prescribedξthese medicationsξto a law enforcement-ordered medical evaluation serves to perpetuate misconceptions and stereotypes that contribute to an environment that discourages the legitimate treatment of pain.ξ Eliminating this authority will better align with currently accepted standards for the prescription, administration, and furnishing ofξthese medications.ξ This is an important quality of life consideration for cancer patients and survivors, as well as other people in pain.ξ Congratulations, California!