1. (1) Pain affects quality of life, job performance, and security;
2. (2) Nearly thirty percent (30%) of nursing home residents with daily pain were receiving no pain medication of any form;
3. (3) Pain untreated or under-treated adversely impacts the quality of life for patients;
4. (4) Up to ninety-five percent (95%) of terminally ill patients’ pain can be relieved with adequate pain management; and
5. (5) Too many Rhode Islanders are suffering and dying in needless pain.

The general assembly finds and declares that:

History of Section.
P.L. 2002, ch. 331, § 1.