January Newsletter
In this issue: Announcing the 2016 Ambassador of the Year | Paul Gileno selected for AAPM Presidential Commendation  | Medicare Part B demo defeated | 21st Century Cures Act becomes law | NY passes step therapy reform | and more! 
Special section: A letter from Paul Gileno

From expanding to 70,000 members, to supporting 2,000 individuals through Pain Connections, to participating in more than 30 advocacy coalitions, 2016 was a year filled with tremendous success and growth for the U.S. Pain Foundation. And we know we owe much of that to you! As part of our continued progress, as you'll see below, we've redesigned our newsletter to better serve our members. 

Awareness, Education, & Support
2 016 Ambassador of the Year: Suzanne Stewart

For her tireless work to improve the lives of chronic pain patients, Suzanne Stewart, a pain ambassador and advocate for the state of Michigan, has been selected as the 2017 Joselynn Badmann Pain Ambassador of the Year. Read more.
Finding positivity in pain

When you live with chronic pain, it can be difficult to stay positive. But positivity is essential to both physical and mental health. In December, U.S. Pain ambassadors Heather Gilmore and Garin Harris led the Positivity Photo Challenge to help pain warriors cultivate optimism.  Read more.
Development & Achievements
AAPM to honor Paul Gileno

On Dec. 14, U.S. Pain President and Founder Paul Gileno was announced as a recipient of the American Academy of Pain Medicine's (AAPM) 2017 Presidential Commendation for his "leadership advocating on behalf of the many individuals who daily live with pain."  Read more.
Ways to help fundraise in 2017

In 2017, U.S. Pain is asking its community to get involved with fundraising efforts whenever possible--whether simply asking a family member for a donation or hosting a Points for Pain game.  Read more.
Federal Advocacy
Medicare Part B demo defeated

U.S. Pain's national campaign, Patients for Medicare Access, celebrated a victory this month after the defeat of a controversial Medicare Part B proposal, which would have incentivized the use of lower-cost drugs at the expense of patient health.  Read more.
21st Century Cures Act signed
into law

A federal bill two years in the making, the 21st Century Cures Act, was signed into law Dec. 13 by President Obama. U.S. Pain Foundation stood with more than 15 other organizations to support the act.  Read more.
State Advocacy
NY rings in the New Year with long-awaited step therapy reform

U.S. Pain and other patient organizations had extra reason to celebrate on New Year's Eve, when New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill into law to reform step therapy. The bill was years in the making.  Read more.
NY approves medicinal marijuana for chronic pain

On Dec. 2, the State of New York announced it would include chronic pain as a qualifying condition for medical marijuana. The U.S. Pain Foundation actively supports legalizing medicinal marijuana for chronic pain in all states. Read more.
Shaina Smith presents at D.C. summit on pain

Patient advocates, clinicians, administrators, policymakers, and other experts in pain and addiction medicine came together Dec. 6 for the "Summit on Balanced Pain Management" in Washington, D.C., to discuss providing effective, safe pain care while addressing the opioid crisis.  Read more.
Upcoming Events
  • Jan. 12: Clinical Treatments of Chronic Pain Conditions
  • Jan. 31: Tyler Cashman's Points for Pain Fundraiser
For full details and the most up-to-date information, visit our online calendar.
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Do you have U.S. Pain-­related news to share? Send news tips and any other comments to  newsletter@uspainfoundation.org. We welcome your feedback! 
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