BILL NUMBER: SR 33	ENROLLED
	BILL TEXT

	ADOPTED IN SENATE  AUGUST 25, 2008
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Migden

                        AUGUST 20, 2008

   Relative to Pain Awareness Month.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
             HOUSE OR SENATE RESOLUTIONS DO NOT CONTAIN A DIGEST



   WHEREAS, More than 75 million Americans live with chronic pain
caused by various diseases or disorders, and each year, nearly 25
million Americans suffer with acute pain; and
   WHEREAS, Though medical knowledge and technology exist to relieve
or greatly ease pain, most pain is untreated, undertreated, or
improperly treated, and many health care professionals are still
unaware of how to effectively treat pain; and
   WHEREAS, People who suffer from chronic pain are often stigmatized
and marginalized and are often not informed about the right to
effective pain assessment and management, and most people with pain,
including those at the end of life, get little or no relief; and
   WHEREAS, The California-based Partners for Understanding Pain is a
growing coalition of pain sufferers, physicians, nurses, social
workers, pharmacists, therapists, civic leaders, nonprofit
organizations, and health care businesses whose mission is to improve
the quality of life for people in California experiencing pain; and
   WHEREAS, It is the collective mission of this movement to provide
practical information for people with pain, inform health care
professionals about pain management, and serve as an advocate for
people experiencing pain; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate
recognizes the month of September 2008 as Pain Awareness Month, and
calls upon all Californians to observe this month by participating in
appropriate ceremonies and activities and by learning how to improve
the quality of life for people in California suffering from pain;
and be it further
   Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this
resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.