*** A CALL TO ACTION - WATCH JOHN STOSSEL FEB 23 @ 8PM & FEB 25 @ 8PM + EMAIL REQUEST ***
Attn All Pain Sufferers/Friends/Caregivers:
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THIS IS A CALL TO ACTION, REQUESTING YOU
1. Watch the O'Reilly Factor from Feb 23 at 8pm.
2. Watch Stossel's Show on Fox Business from Feb 25 at 8pm.
3. Email Bill O'Reilly AND John Stossel using the info below ASAP.
4. Share This Blog With EVERYONE Who Understands Our Plight!
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On February 23, on the O'Reilly Factor on Fox News at 8pm EST and PST, Bill O'Reilly spoke with John Stossel (briefly) about pain, doctors leaving the pain management field, patients not getting adequate care, etc. It was sort of a promo for the full show on the subject, Stossel Show, which aired February 25 on Fox Business. Get the scoop at: http://www.creators.com/opinion/john-stossel/whose-body-is-it-2010-02-24.html.
IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT TO SUPPORT PROGRAMMING THAT BENEFITS PAIN PATIENTS EVERYWHERE! Please let BOTH O'Reilly and Stossel know that you appreciate their coverage of this IMPORTANT topic!
Get more info via The O'Reilly Factor web site at: http://www.foxnews.com/oreilly. Email him RE the Stossel episode Feb 23 on pain, SHOW YOUR SUPPORT. His email is: oreilly@foxnews.com. Also, you can call "The Radio Factor" live on the air at 1-877-9-NO-SPIN (877-966-7746) weekdays from noon to 2 p.m. ET.
See John Stossel's show web site at: http://www.foxbusiness.com/on-air/stossel-- He is supporting our cause. It's a REALLY big deal that he recognizes how doctors are afraid to help pain patients. John Stossel is one of the few people IN THE MEDIA WHO IS IN OUR CORNER, so show you're appreciation. Let's talk to him too! Email him at stossel@foxbusiness.com.
*** Below are sample emails you can use to send to both O'Reilly and Stossel. Feel free to send as is, with your name and info, or edit and send what you want to say, personally. But, the more mail they get, the better!!! ***
Thanks all --- keep fighting the good fight and stay well!
Love, Heather :)
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LETTER SAMPLES ARE BELOW
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Dear Mr. Bill O'Reilly,
I was pleased to see the show with John Stossel discussing pain and the problems facing not only doctors, but pain patients in our health care system. I have Intractable Pain--a severe, constant pain that is not curable by any known means and which causes a bed or house-bound state and early death if not adequately treated. It causes adverse biologic affects on the body's cardiovascular, hormone, and neurologic systems.
I would urge you, Mr. O'Reilly, as well as John Stossel, to pursue the issue of pain as a distinct, life-threatening illness. I agree with you wholeheartedly that the President's healthcare plan WILL NOT work. The plan is especially dangerous for people with severe illness, such as myself and many, many friends who suffer with nonstop (all day, every day) pain. Our voices are not heard often enough.
WE NEED YOUR HELP -- PLEASE DISCUSS ISSUES OF PAIN MANAGEMENT AND HAVE PAIN PATIENTS REPRESENTED ON YOUR SHOW. We would all be very thankful! This is a growing problem worldwide that cannot be resolved until doctors are able to treat their pain patients without fear of prescribing the necessary medication.
All of our lives are in jeopardy and we appreciate your show shining a light on the subject.
Most Sincerely,
YOUR NAME HERE
Pain Sufferer
Please visit these sites for reliable information on intractable pain:
American Pain Foundation: www.painfoundation.org
Intractable Pain Authority-Dr. Forest Tennant: www.foresttennant.com
Intractable Pain Disease Site: www.intractablepaindisease.com
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Dear Mr. John Stossel,
I was pleased to see you on the O'Reilly Factor discussing pain and the problems facing not only doctors, but pain patients in our health care system. I have Intractable Pain--a severe, constant pain that is not curable by any known means and which causes a bed or house-bound state and early death if not adequately treated. It causes adverse biologic affects on the body's cardiovascular, hormone, and neurologic systems.
I would urge you, Mr. Stossel, as well as Mr. O'Reilly, to pursue the issue of pain as a distinct, life-threatening illness. I agree with you wholeheartedly that the President's healthcare plan WILL NOT work. The plan is especially dangerous for people with severe illness, such as myself and many, many friends who suffer with nonstop (all day, every day) pain. Our voices are not heard often enough.
WE NEED YOUR HELP -- PLEASE DISCUSS ISSUES OF PAIN MANAGEMENT AND HAVE PAIN PATIENTS REPRESENTED ON YOUR SHOW. We would all be very thankful! This is a growing problem worldwide that cannot be resolved until doctors are able to treat their pain patients without fear of prescribing the necessary medication. All of our lives are in jeopardy and we appreciate you shining a light on the subject.
Most Sincerely,
YOUR NAME HERE
Pain Sufferer
Please visit these sites for reliable information on intractable pain:
American Pain Foundation: www.painfoundation.org
Intractable Pain Authority-Dr. Forest Tennant: www.foresttennant.com
Intractable Pain Disease Site: www.intractablepaindisease.com
Have YOUR letter to share? Include it below! Have a link to the videos? We'd love to see them too. :)
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Pain Medication Accessibility for the Underinsured
by Heather Grace
Many people with chronic or intractable pain have a very hard time getting the medications they need for their very survival. It's a huge issue and though the government is trying to help the uninsured/underinsured, chances are, the very ill will not be helped by such a plan.
Why? As most pain patients know, it's already happening under all current insurance plans. And, it happens frequently. Anyone who depends on large quantities of medication that are often quite costly is likely to have issues with ANY insurance plan.
Insurers will delay or worse, deny coverage altogether. Many question the need for such medications, and it becomes a huge war between the insurer and the insured, with the doctors in the middle, trying desperately to ensure their patients survive.
With all of this going on, ThePainStore.com is trying to do its part to help those in need. If you are currently having problems with your insurance company, or you don't have adequate coverage, there are several places you can look to for assistance.
Please see our web site for the full details on the many programs available: Pain Patients: Access to Prescriptions.
There are plans offered by specific pharmaceutical companies, as well as prescription assistance organizations. Additionally, there are prescription savings cards offered by many groups.
Need to see someone right away? Visit the Free/Low-Cost Health Clinic Finder.
If you are in California and have a serious illness, but cannot seem to get insurance through normal channels, there is a plan that may help. Get the details on the California Major Risk Medical Insurance Program.
Also, we welcome you to share your experiences with us! Have experience with these plans? Tell us! Got recommendations for other plans we should add here? Please post them now! Have issues with getting the medication you need? Please share them with us -- right here on our blog. Thanks everyone!
Many people with chronic or intractable pain have a very hard time getting the medications they need for their very survival. It's a huge issue and though the government is trying to help the uninsured/underinsured, chances are, the very ill will not be helped by such a plan.
Why? As most pain patients know, it's already happening under all current insurance plans. And, it happens frequently. Anyone who depends on large quantities of medication that are often quite costly is likely to have issues with ANY insurance plan.
Insurers will delay or worse, deny coverage altogether. Many question the need for such medications, and it becomes a huge war between the insurer and the insured, with the doctors in the middle, trying desperately to ensure their patients survive.
With all of this going on, ThePainStore.com is trying to do its part to help those in need. If you are currently having problems with your insurance company, or you don't have adequate coverage, there are several places you can look to for assistance.
Please see our web site for the full details on the many programs available: Pain Patients: Access to Prescriptions.
There are plans offered by specific pharmaceutical companies, as well as prescription assistance organizations. Additionally, there are prescription savings cards offered by many groups.
Need to see someone right away? Visit the Free/Low-Cost Health Clinic Finder.
If you are in California and have a serious illness, but cannot seem to get insurance through normal channels, there is a plan that may help. Get the details on the California Major Risk Medical Insurance Program.
Also, we welcome you to share your experiences with us! Have experience with these plans? Tell us! Got recommendations for other plans we should add here? Please post them now! Have issues with getting the medication you need? Please share them with us -- right here on our blog. Thanks everyone!