Patient Pain Care Bill

“Painfully Deceitful” (editorial, Sept. 17) did not paint an accurate picture of the Pain Relief Promotion Act. The American Medical Assn. is committed to providing the best pain relief for patients at the end of life, and this bill creates an environment in which physicians may administer appropriate and aggressive pain care for patients.

This legislation would not expand the authority of the Drug Enforcement Administration, and in fact would for the first time legally recognize the “double effect,” the fact that aggressive pain treatment may carry with it the potential for increased risk of death.

This bill also honors the existing authority of the states to regulate legitimate medical practices, while allowing the federal authority to retain the responsibility of regulating the prescribing and administration of controlled substances. The Pain Relief Promotion Act gives hope and comfort to patients in need of aggressive pain management.

RANDOLPH D. SMOAK JR. MD

President, AMA

Washington