Rhode Island chronic pain activist Claudia Merandi has launched the Doctor Patient Forum, a non-profit organization, which aims to advocate, educate, and defend the rights of patients; to protect all providers, who tirelessly work to treat their patients, and to bring awareness to the general public regarding restrictions upon medical providers.

“Our mission is clear,” said Merandi. “We are working to eliminate patient and doctor and advocate on way to restore the doctor-patient relationship while holding state medical boards accountable for their actions that impact chronic pain patients.”

Merandi, who launched the Don’t Punish Pain Rallies that will next be held across the country on March 20th, says the forum is already attracting dozens of patients who are caught in the crossfire of the opioid wars.

To learn more about the forum, click here.

“We started to advocate for patients in need of help,” she said. “For patients, whether they’re trying to locate a provider, have questions about insurance, urine screens, or other issues, we offer solutions to all patient needs.”

Merandi also added that they are beginning to generate funding and plan to announce soon that they are hiring a Washington D.C. based lobbyist who will work on federal issues including working to develop an oversight hearing of the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Merandi also briefed us last week on the status of legislation that they have been pushing in Rhode Island, which last year passed the House but died in a Senate committee, mostly because there wasn’t enough time. It has been reintroduced this year and Merandi is confident that it can pass both houses of the legislature this year.

Reporter Looking for People Who Have Advocated Elected Officials

By the way, a reporter is interested in speaking with people who have advocated with their elected officials. If you have spoken with or met an elected official or a state and/or federal regulatory official, and are comfortable in the possibility of speaking with a reporter, send me an email: editor@nationalpainreport.com

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