Newswise — Today the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) and the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA Pain Medicine) have launched the new Pain Medicine Coalition (PMC) to advance the common goals of the pain medicine community and to advocate for responsible pain care for all patients.

This new coalition will work together to develop, monitor, and advocate for responsible health care policy for people who experience both acute and chronic pain, and the physicians who support them, through clinical care, education addressing quality of care, access to care, public and professional education, and research.

“We’re excited to launch this new coalition with ASRA Pain Medicine,” said ASA President Ronald L. Harter, M.D., FASA. “Together we will strengthen and solidify the community of physicians who are working to treat our patients’ acute and chronic pain.”

“ASRA Pain Medicine is thrilled and grateful to be co-organizing and partnering with ASA on the Pain Medicine Coalition,” said ASRA Pain Medicine President David A. Provenzano, M.D. “The Pain Medicine Coalition activities will be critical to advancing much needed advocacy, education, and research for acute, transitional, and chronic pain care. ASA and ASRA Pain Medicine working together will combine the strengths of each organization to ensure success.”

About the American Society of Anesthesiologists Founded in 1905, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) is an educational, research and scientific society with nearly 58,000 members organized to advance the medical practice of anesthesiology and secure its future. ASA is committed to ensuring anesthesiologists evaluate and supervise the medical care of all patients before, during and after surgery. ASA members also lead the care of critically ill patients in intensive care units, as well as treat pain in both acute and chronic settings. For more information on the field of anesthesiology, visit the American Society of Anesthesiologists online at asahq.org. To learn more about how anesthesiologists help ensure patient safety, visit asahq.org/madeforthismoment. Like ASA on Facebook and follow ASALifeline on Twitter.

About American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine The American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA Pain Medicine) is a professional member organization of more than 5,000 physicians and health care providers across the United States and the world. Founded in 1975, the mission of ASRA Pain Medicine is to advance the science and practice of regional anesthesia and pain medicine to improve patient outcomes through research, education, and advocacy. For more information, visit www.asra.com.