October 30, 2006

Michigan Department of Community Health Director Janet Olszewski announced today that Michigan has been recognized for its efforts to provide appropriate pain management.

"Michigan was one of only two states to receive an "A" grade for our progress in helping to alleviate suffering in patients who have pain," said Olszewski. "By creating a policy environment where physicians and patients can carefully address pain management, we hope to enhance the quality of life for our citizens."

The University of Wisconsin Pain and Policy Studies Group (PPSG) recently issued their national report, Achieving Balance in State Pain Policy: A Progress Report Card (Second Edition), which evaluates the progress states are making in adopting proactive pain management policies. The American Cancer Society, the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF), and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation jointly funded the report with a goal of encouraging government agencies to continue to recognize the need to remove regulatory barriers while encouraging appropriate pain management. The PPSG report card grades each state from A to F.

Michigan was recognized for repealing restrictive and ambiguous policy, adopting several recommendations of the End of Life Commission, and for having strong collaboration between its Boards of Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery, Pharmacy and Nursing in adopting these policies. Michigan was also recognized for following the Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States Medical Practice Act and Model Policies, and for requiring regulatory agencies to educate licensees about pain management issues.

"Patients' access to appropriate pain medication is a balancing act. While opioid pain medications have a well-recognized role in managing pain, they also have a potential for abuse. We have established a system in Michigan that controls diversion and abuse, while also making these treatment options medically available," Olszewski stated.

Nationally, there is increasing recognition that improving pain management for patients with cancer, HIV/AIDS, sickle cell anemia and other chronic diseases will result in improved quality of life.

To review the national report, please visit http://www.painpolicy.wisc.edu/Achieving_Balance/PRC2006.pdf.