November 8, 2007

Michigan received an A rating for the quality of its policies affecting pain treatment according to The 2007 Achieving Balance in State Pain Policy: A Progress Report Card. The report card was prepared by the University of Wisconsin Pain & Policy Studies Group.

Michigan was one of only four states to receive an A rating in 2007. Michigan also received A ratings in 2003 and 2006.

"As we observe Hospice and Palliative Care Month in November, I am delighted that Michigan once again is recognized for its quality pain policies," said Janet Olszewski, Director of the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH). "Recognizing the devastating effects of unrelieved pain, Michigan has established a positive regulatory and practice environment for the relief of pain for all patients."

Pain, sometimes severe and debilitating, is associated with a variety of diseases including cancer, sickle cell anemia, HIV/AIDS, and other chronic conditions. Adequate pain relief contributes to improved health and can restore patients' functioning and quality of life.

The focus of The 2007 Achieving Balance in State Pain Policy: A Progress Report Card is on the extent that controlled substances and professional practice policies contain language that can potentially enhance or impede pain management. A research methodology was developed to grade each state based on the quality of its pain policy; state grades are presented for 2000, 2003, 2006, and 2007, to allow study of policy change over time.

The report concludes that state pain policies are becoming more balanced, even compared to last year. Since 2006:

- Twenty-three states had policy change, and in eight of those states, the change was sufficient to improve their grade;

- Kansas and Wisconsin achieved an A in 2007, joining Michigan and Virginia as the most balanced pain policies in the country;

- Eighty-six percent of states have a grade above a C;

- California and Wisconsin show the greatest improvement: California increased from a C to a B and Wisconsin increased from a B to an A; and

- No state's grade decreased in the last year or even since 2000.

To view the complete report, please visit: http://www.painpolicy.wisc.edu/Achieving_Balance/PRC2007.pdf