Authorizes the commissioner of health to establish standards, and review and implement requirements for the performance of continuing medical education on pain management, palliative care and addiction

26 Co-sponsors

• George D. Maziarz
• Greg Ball
• John J. Bonacic
• Phil Boyle
• David Carlucci
• Simcha Felder
• Patrick M. Gallivan
• Terry Gipson
• Martin J. Golden
• Joseph A. Griffo
• Andrew J. Lanza
• William J. Larkin Jr.
• Kenneth P. LaValle
• Betty Little
• Carl L. Marcellino
• Kathleen A. Marchione
• Jack M. Martins
• Michael F. Nozzolio
• Thomas F. O'Mara
• Michael H. Ranzenhofer
• Patty Ritchie
• Joseph E. Robach
• Diane J. Savino
• James L. Seward
• David J. Valesky
• Catharine Young

BILL NUMBER:S7660

Title of bill

An act to amend the public health law, in relation to the prescription pain medication awareness program and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof

Purpose

To require health care professionals authorized to prescribe controlled substances to complete medical education on pain management, palliative care, and addition.

Summary of provisions

Section one amends the Prescription Pain Medication Awareness Program under Public Health Law § 3309-a to require health care professionals licensed under title 8 of the education law to treat humans and authorized to prescribe controlled substances to complete three hours of continuing medical education every two years that involves pain management. The curricula must include but is not limited to, I-Stop and drug enforcement administration requirements for prescribing control substances; pain management; appropriate prescribing; managing acute pain; pain; palliative medicine; preventative, screening and signs of addiction; responses to abuse and addiction; and end of life care. The Commissioner may allow for exemptions if the health care professionals met requirements per the Commissioners satisfaction. The commissioner must report on the impact of this legislation and any recommendations no later than three years after its enactment.

Justification

Many patients suffer endlessly from debilitating pain and other symptoms caused by the inadequate treatment of pain or other symptoms which could be controlled. Many health care professionals are unaware of the resources available to their patients to relieve chronic and acute pain. This issue has lead to an increase in the prescribing of prescription medications to help ease patients suffering, which has resulted in and increase of prescription drug abuse throughout the state. This bill will require health care professionals who prescribe controlled substances to take a continuing medical education (CME) course regarding pain management. This training in pain management will assist in curbing the prescription drug crisis the state currently faces by educating practitioners on proper practices. This bill will ensure that health care practitioners stay current on pain management and palliative care techniques, and not over or under prescribing pain medications.

Legislative history

New bill

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This bill shall take effect one year after it becomes law.