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1996 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 256
Continuing the Joint Subcommittee Studying the Commonwealth's Current Laws and Policies Related to Acute and Cancer Pain Management as the Joint Subcommittee Studying the Commonwealth's Current Laws and Policies Related to Chronic, Acute, and Cancer Pain Management.

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 8, 1996
Agreed to by the Senate, February 21, 1996

WHEREAS, the joint subcommittee was established by Senate Joint Resolution No. 72 (1994) and continued by House Joint Resolution No. 583 (1995), providing the bases for many explanations, presentations, and demonstrations on pain management modalities; and

WHEREAS, specifically, the study committee was continued in 1995 to seek cooperative efforts and private assistance in conducting a pain management summit; and

WHEREAS, beginning in May 1995, a steering group met regularly and planned the agenda and particulars of the conference; and

WHEREAS, private companies and organizations provided generous grants to support the symposium, thus enabling the agenda to include outstanding national and Virginia faculty and to obtain accreditation for continuing medical education and continuing education for nurses, pharmacists, and others; and

WHEREAS, on December 6, 1995, the Pain Management Symposium: Attitudes, Obstacles and Issues was held with great success, having over two hundred health care providers in attendance; and

WHEREAS, the symposium was accomplished without expense to the Commonwealth and with the joint subcommittee's expenses limited to the actual day of the event; and

WHEREAS, the hope of the joint subcommittee is that this educational effort will assist the patients of the Commonwealth, and, in fact, appears to have had remarkable effects, with several pain management efforts underway in rural areas; and

WHEREAS, the joint subcommittee has not examined the many issues related to chronic pain, such as back pain and knee pain; and

WHEREAS, chronic pain may be the most economically significant symptom in terms of lost employment days, disabling conditions, and long-term human suffering; and

WHEREAS, in addition to examining chronic pain issues, the joint subcommittee will oversee the publication of several medical articles, reflecting the proceedings of the symposium, and will develop a report to chronicle its work; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Joint Subcommittee Studying the Commonwealth's Current Laws and Policies Related to Acute and Cancer Pain Management be continued for one more year as the Joint Subcommittee Studying the Commonwealth's Current Laws and Policies Related to Chronic, Acute, and Cancer Pain Management. The members duly appointed pursuant to SJR No. 72 (1994) shall continue to serve, except that any vacancies shall be filled as provided in the enabling resolution. Staffing shall continue to be provided by the Division of Legislative Services.

The joint subcommittee shall examine the issues related to pain management, particularly the economic effect of chronic pain and may, in this regard, seek the assistance of an additional pain management expert, chosen from among the steering group which served for the symposium.

In its deliberations, the joint subcommittee will also examine the issues set forth in SJR No. 72 (1994), and will do an in-depth assessment of third party reimbursement for pain treatment which had been planned for 1995, but was not completed.

The direct costs of this study shall not exceed $4,350.

All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the joint subcommittee, upon request.

The joint subcommittee shall be continued for one year to examine the issues related to chronic pain and insurance coverage and shall submit its final findings and recommendations on all aspects of pain management to the Governor and the 1997 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents.

Implementation of this resolution is subject to subsequent approval and certification by the Joint Rules Committee. The Committee may withhold expenditures or delay the period for the conduct of the study.