[§327H-1]  Pain patient's bill ofrights; findings.  The legislature finds that:

(1)  Inadequate treatment of severe acute pain andsevere chronic pain originating from cancer or noncancerous conditions is asignificant health problem;

(2)  For some patients, pain management is the singlemost important treatment a physician can provide;

(3)  A patient who suffers from severe acute pain orsevere chronic pain should have access to proper treatment of pain;

(4)  Due to the complexity of their problems, manypatients who suffer from severe acute pain or severe chronic pain may requirereferral to a physician with expertise in the treatment of severe acute painand severe chronic pain.  In some cases, severe acute pain and severe chronicpain is best treated by a team of clinicians to address the associatedphysical, psychological, social, and vocational issues;

(5)  In the hands of knowledgeable, ethical, andexperienced pain management practitioners, opiates administered for severeacute pain or severe chronic pain can be safe; and

(6)  Opiates may be part of an overall treatment planfor a patient in severe acute pain or severe chronic pain who has not obtainedrelief from any other means of treatment. [L 2004, c 189, pt of §1]