07 LC 33
2058
House
Resolution 663
By:
Representatives Carter of the
159th,
Cooper of the
41st,
and Rynders of the
152nd
A
RESOLUTION
Creating
the House Study Committee on Pain Management; and for other
purposes.
WHEREAS,
many controlled substances have useful and legitimate medical and scientific
purposes and are necessary to maintain the health and general welfare of the
people of this state; and
WHEREAS,
to treat a patient´s pain, a physician should be able to administer a
controlled substance in excess of the recommended dosage, even if its use may
increase the risk of death, so long as it is not also administered for the
purpose of causing or assisting in causing death; and
WHEREAS,
a health care facility or a hospice should not forbid or restrict the use of
controlled substances appropriately administered to relieve pain;
and
WHEREAS,
with regard to these issues, it would be beneficial to this state
to:
(1)
Facilitate a discussion among the Attorney General, the appropriate regulatory
boards, and other interested persons that focuses on identifying appropriate
procedures and techniques for the management of pain; and
(2)
Study and report to the Governor and the General Assembly on medical,
pharmaceutical, and patient care issues involving the treatment of pain,
including, but not limited to, the use of Schedule II controlled
substances.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that there is created
the House Study Committee on Pain Management to be composed of three members of
the House of Representatives, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives and eight additional members, also appointed by the Speaker, as
follows: three physicians, one of whom specializes in hospice care; two
pharmacists, one of whom specializes in the care of patients in long-term care
facilities; one representative of law enforcement knowledgeable in Schedule II
medications; one nurse; and one layperson. The Speaker of the House of
Representatives shall designate one of his appointees to serve as chairperson of
the committee. The committee shall meet at the call of the
chairperson.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee shall undertake a study of the
conditions, needs, issues, and problems mentioned above or related thereto and
recommend any actions or legislation which the committee deems necessary or
appropriate. The committee shall review, at a minimum:
(1)
Scientific and medical reviews of controlled substances classified as Schedule
II under Code Section 16-13-26;
(2)
Modern pain management knowledge;
(3)
Modern pain management techniques for the treatment of pain, including the use
of Schedule II controlled substances;
(4)
The adverse impact on patient recovery caused by the undertreatment of
pain;
(5)
The identity and quantity of patients who do not receive adequate pain control
treatment and consequences and costs of undertreatment;
(6)
The development of guidelines to establish parameters for the investigation of a
prescriber or dispenser of Schedule II controlled substances for the treatment
of pain; and
(7)
The development of guidelines to educate prescribers, dispensers, patients, law
enforcement, and the public about pain management and regulatory
issues.
The
committee may conduct such meetings at such places and at such times as it may
deem necessary or convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively its
powers, perform its duties, and accomplish the objectives and purposes of this
resolution. The legislative members of the committee shall receive the
allowances authorized for legislative members of interim legislative committees
but shall receive the same for not more than five days. Citizen members shall
receive a daily expense allowance in the amount specified in subsection (b) of
Code Section 45-7-21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated as well as the
mileage or transportation allowance authorized for state employees. The funds
necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution shall come from the
funds appropriated to the House of Representatives. In the event that the
committee makes a report of its findings and recommendations for proposed
legislation, such report shall be made no later than December 31, 2007. The
committee shall stand abolished on December 31, 2007.