Resolutions Seek to Improve Pain Management

For anesthesiologist Joseph Galassi Jr., MD, one of the most satisfying parts of his job is alleviating a patient’s pain—like seeing a woman in labor smile after an epidural. 

“However, there are times when I see patients who are not so lucky,” said Dr. Galassi, president of the Pennsylvania Society of Anesthesiologists. 

Patients can be undertreated for pain for a number of reasons, such as fear of addiction, poor understanding of the origin of the pain, or concerns over sanctions from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), according to Dr. Galassi. 

Concurrent resolutions introduced March 6, 2009, in the state General Assembly would help remove some barriers to proper pain management. A concurrent resolution must be adopted by both chambers of the legislature but does not need to be signed by the governor.  

House Resolution 123 and Senate Resolution 37 would create a pain task force and advisory committee to promote public awareness of proper pain management, early diagnosis and treatment, and encourage research on the cause and treatment of pain. The resolutions were introduced by Rep. Jennifer L. Mann (D-Lehigh) and Sen. Pat Browne (R-Lehigh).

HR 123 was approved by the House Health and Human Services Committee on March 25. The committee amended the resolution but the amendments were not substantive.  

“With the advances in pain management that have been made over the years, no one should have to suffer,” Mann said.  

The task force and advisory committee would:

  • Evaluate barriers to consistent pain management
  • Suggest ways to improve pain care
  • Study the feasibility of a pain management public education program
  • Identify sources of funding 

Dr. Galassi chairs the Medical Society’s pain management work group.  Another member of the group—Michael Ashburn, MD— recently was chosen to chair the Pennsylvania Pain Coalition. This group of medical professional and public service organizations plans to help revise outdated regulations, expand professional and public education, and correct state policies that jeopardize appropriate pain management.  

Add Your Comments


The Pennsylvania Medical Society encourages lively debate, but please behave courteously and responsibly. Comments that include profanity, personal attacks (including language that could potentially identify an individual), or any other inappropriate, offensive, or illegal material will be removed. For more information, please see our Terms of Use.

Display name as (optional):

Comments (max 2000 characters):




Comments: 3


i to am having a problem with my primary care provider of which i have been seeing for 6 or 7 yrs.He had me on meds up to 720 pills a month then in Oct.of 2010 he just decided i should cut down to basically nothing and that i should find pain mngmt.I had my gall bladder out in 99 and they never informed me that i had a stent put in that was to be removed three months later.i never had the stent out since i had no idea i was to have it done which in turn had me having unexplained illnesses for ten yrs.stomach burning,Vomiting,and just always sick.Finally i became very ill,turned yellow,and could not move.Went to the hospital and they told me the stent is basically scarred in my body and it must come out.Ok sure why not however in the process they perforated my bowel and i nearly died,spending 13 days in the hospital 7 in ICU,with the nurses telling me someone screwed up.so i get out of the hospital go to my primary and he tells me after taking pain meds for total of 15 yrs.that i have to cut down never telling me he meant cut down to nothing so ive gone from 120 mil.of Roxycodone every 4 hrs to 60 mil. of roxycodone every 8 if needed,.This happened so fast my head was spinning.I really dont know how this is legal to do to someone,my body feels like i dont even know how to explain except i cant move.Ive suffered from chronic pain since 93 have had 3 surgeries and every injection and pretty much every procedure you could think of.Finally after trying every medicine available it seems i took the Roxycodone and it worked fine for me for yrs.now all of a sudden he is saying he wants to treat addiction and give people suboxone.If i call other Drs. and tell them my problem they think im Dr. shopping but yet they dont see the 500 pages of records i havebut yet they can treat me like a drug addict.(which i have no criminal past for anything in my life)I dont know how he can get away with this.I recently went to the e.r.and they told me from lack of meds i went thru w/d.help!

constantpain at 2/25/2010 12:42:55 PM




anonymous at 2/25/2010 12:26:22 PM


After 5 spinal surgery's I am left with chronic pain and I thank God that I have found a Dr. who is proactive in pain management. My Primary Care Physician was not willing to aid me in pain management other then suggesting Yogi, Acupuncture and physical therapy. Did the Acupuncture and physical therapy. Do not have the range of motion to do the Yogi. Thankfully my Surgeon referred me to a Doctor who could manage my pain and has now become my Primary Care Physician so I don't have to feel like a low life needing a fix. So grateful that there are Doctor's out there who realize the suffering of so many and are willing to fight for the rights of pain sufferers to find proper pain management.

anonymous at 12/12/2009 9:08:07 AM

Last Updated: 3/25/2009
From: 
Email:  
To: 
Email:  
Subject: 
Message: