New legislation aimed at the military

                                                                                         

In a perfect world, laws would not be necessary. But, when people are not prepared to do the "right" thing, the legislature has to step in to force compliance. If you were to ask which class of people in the US right now should be the most honored and protected, most would answer the soldiers, airmen and sailors who serve the US with pride and distinction. Unfortunately, the US Government seems not to want to do the "right" thing. There have been serious problems uncovered in the treatment facilities provided for returning service personnel and veterans. Now we have two new bills signed into law by President Bush to address some of the outstanding issues.

The Military Pain Care Act of 2008 is intended to force the military to implement more effective pain care management for all serving personnel. Everyone who serves their country is entitled to the best of care. Yet there is clear evidence that prescription painkillers like tramadol hcl and the more powerful narcotic analgesics are being abused. Since the Iraq war began, the number of prescriptions for painkillers has risen from 30,000 to 50,000 per month suggesting that military doctors are too casual in prescribing potentially addictive drugs. With the new legislation in place, the Department of Defense will have to review current policies and make relevant changes. There are two other bills: the Veterans Pain Care Act (now signed into law) and the National Pain Care Policy Act (stalled in Senate).

There is a real challenge to the US healthcare system to react positively to the wave of injured personnel returning from the current conflicts. This represents a major financial burden not only in the cost of the treatment, but also in lost production estimated at $100 billion every year when veterans are unable to work because of their chronic pain. Capitol Hill no longer thinks it is sufficient for physicians to hand out tramadol hcl and the more powerful narcotic painkillers, and leave it at that. There is a pressing need to formulate a comprehensive approach to reintegrate injured military personnel into society and to help them cope with the pain. As it is, the effects of chronic pain lead to job losses and undermine family relationships. Ignoring post traumatic stress disorder, there are also major problems with anxiety and depression when the pain is not relieved leaving the personnel alienated and alone.

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