"Knowing what must be done does away with fear."
—Rosa Parks

Legislation & Policy Actions

For Grace-Sponsored Resolutions & Proclamations

For Grace Celebrates 20th California Women In Pain Resolution
Sacramento, CA – September 2023
Fall rolls out strong as For Grace celebrates 20 years of sponsoring a California resolution that proclaims September as Pain Awareness Month and the 1st as Women In Pain Awareness Day. Authored for the third year-in-a-row by Senator Maria Elena DurazoSR 48 brings critical awareness of pain as a major public health concern along  with the plight of women in pain and their challenge to get early diagnosis and effective pain management to Golden State lawmakers. Thank you, Senator Durazo, and your amazing staff member, Fernando Rameriz. Bravo!!

California Medicaid Pain Care Expansion Bill Pushed to 2024
Los Angeles, CA – March 2023
After discussions with our Senate liaison and a projected state budget deficit, For Grace leaders have decided to postpone a bill until the 2024 session that, if signed, will expand covered pain therapies for Medi-Cal patients. Though disappointing, the realities of launching a new policy that comes with a significant price tag during  a financial down turn would prove to be an uphill climb. Looking forward to late 2023 to get this much-needed therapy expansion bill to the legislature.

September Starts Strong for Women In Pain in the Golden State!
Sacramento, CA – September 2022
September starts strong in California as For Grace’s resolution, SR 104, proclaims September 1st as Women In Pain Awareness Day and the month as Pain Awareness Month. Authored for the second year-in-a-row by Senator Maria Elena Durazo, this effort is For Grace’s 19th out of the last 20 years (the 2020 legislative session was curtailed due to COVID) to bring awareness of the plight of women in pain and their challenge to get effective, appropriate pain management to Golden State lawmakers. Thank you, Senator Durazo and staff member, Fernando Rameriz!!

Pain Care Legislation Rekindled in California
Los Angeles, CA – March 2022
For Grace leaders are excited to be in formal meetings with a California Senator’s office to jump start pain care legislation first proposed at our 2019 Capitol briefing. That event was a great success as it brought much awareness to legislators, staffers and agency heads about the plight of people with chronic pain and the challenges they face to maintain quality of life and procure effective care. A great start to a (hopeful) 2023 bill! Please check back soon for details…

For Grace Back on Track for 2021 CA Pain Awareness Month!
Los Angeles, CA – March 2021
Great news for Women In Pain in the Golden State! We received word last night that Senator Maria Elena Durazo will be authoring SR 53, For Grace’s 2021 resolution – one that will proclaim September as Pain Awareness Month and September 24th as Women In Pain Awareness Day (to coincide with our virtual “Pain-Cancer Connection” conference.)  This was no small feat given the legislative focus being almost exclusively on COVID-related business. This will be For Grace’s 18th resolution in 19 years as 2020’s was dropped due to the pandemic. Good to be back on track!

For Grace Reso Effort Now a Priority at the State Capitol
Sacramento, CA – February 2019
GREAT NEWS! For Grace’s 17-year Pain Awareness Month effort has become a California Women’s Caucus priority resolution (SR 65) – meaning this influential group strongly supports  our annual legislation to spotlight chronic pain as a public health concern as well as the gender bias toward women in pain. This year’s author is Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson, the first in a long line of women legislators going forward who will lead the charge.

Senator Jackson Carries Pain Awareness Month Reso Second Year In a Row!
Sacramento, CA – August 2018 
Due to her deep commitment for women’s health issues, Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson has once again authored For Grace’s resolution proclaiming September as Pain Awareness Month in California. SCR 83 passed the Senate floor by a 37-0 vote and the Assembly 75-0.  The resolution was enrolled on August 29th – and we extend our deepest gratitude to Senator Jackson and her dynamite staff. The reso will be lauded at For Grace’s Change Agent Pain Summit.

Pain Awareness Month & Day Once Again Lauded in California, Thanks to Dedicated Lawmakers!
Sacramento & Los Angeles, CA – September 2017
CA Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (SR 67) and LA County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl proclaimed September as Pain Awareness Month and September 22 as Women In Pain Awareness Day (this date coincides with our 2017 Change Agent Pain Summit: Part One.) For Grace has proudly sponsored these resolutions for 15 years – and our deepest gratitude goes out to these amazing legislators who continue to champion the cause of people with high-impact pain! Ladies, you are the wind beneath our wings!

Legislators in the Golden State Join Forces to Proclaim Pain Awarness Month and Day
Sacramento & Los Angeles, CA—September 2016
State Senator Carol Liu (SCR 154) and Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl team up again to proclaim September as Pain Awareness Month and September 23 as Women In Pain Awareness Day. This date co-incides with For Grace’s 2016 Women In Pain conference. Our deepest gratitude goes out to these amazing legislators (and their staffers!) who continue to champion the cause of women in pain. Thank you for being our heroes!

CA Legislators Team Up to Celebrate September 2015 as Pain Awareness Month
Sacramento & Los Angeles, CA—September 2015
For the 13th consecutive year, and fourth with California Senator Carol Liu, For Grace has sponsored a pain awareness resolution – SCR 77 proclaims September 2015 as Pain Awareness Month and September 11th as Women In Pain Awareness Day. To compliment this effort, Supervisor Sheila Kuehl has done the same for Los Angeles County! A big THANK YOU to Senator Liu and Supervisor Kuehl (and their wonderful staffers!) for your big care and support in celebrating September as Pain Awareness Month. It means so much to so many in the Golden State…

A Dozen Does It! For Grace again sponsors California Pain Resolution
Sacramento, CA September 2014
For the 12th consecutive year, and third with California Senator Carol Liu, For Grace has sponsored a 2014 resolution. SCR 129 proclaims September as Pain Awareness Month and September 12th as Women In Pain Awareness Day. The day corresponds with our upcoming 7th Annual Women In Pain conference. A big THANK YOU to Senator Carol Liu for your continuing care and support!

11th Year In a Row, For Grace Sponsors CA September Pain Resolutions
Sacramento, CA—July 2013
Thrilled to announce that SCR 18 passed the legislature on July 3rd here in the Golden State. This resolution proclaims September as Pain Awareness Month and September 13th as Women In Pain Awareness Day. We extend our deepest appreciation to Senator Carol Liu, as this marks her second consecutive year as author. Thanks also to her amazing staff liaison, Andi Lane, who again guided SCR 18 to its unanimous passage in the California legislature!

For Grace Champions Pain Awareness Reso!
Sacramento, CA—September 2012
Happy to announce that SCR 65 passed the California legislature on August 29th. This resolution proclaims September as Pain Awareness Month and September 14th as Women In Pain Awareness Day. We extend a heart-felt thank you to our 2012 author, Senator Carol Liu, a longtime champion for women’s health rights in the Golden State. Thanks also to her amazing staff liaison, Andi Lane, who guided SCR 65 to its safe landing in the legislature!

CA Pain Resolutions are Official!
Sacramento, CA—September 2011
Very proud to announce that For Grace has again sponsored a resolution (SCR 54) proclaiming September as Pain Awareness Month AND September 16th as Women In Pain Awareness Day here in the Golden State. We extend a heartfelt thank you to our author, California State Senator Elaine Alquist, and her wonderful staffer, Nora Lynn, for getting this resolution through in the 11th hour.

For Grace’s Women In Pain Day & September Pain Month Reso Passed!
Sacramento, CA—September 2010
We extend a heart-felt thank you to Senator Gloria Romero, our SCR 110 author. This resolution proclaims September as Pain Awareness Month and September 17th (to coincide with our 3rd Annual WIP Conference) as Women In Pain Awareness Day in California. SCR 110 is co-authored by Senators Liu, Oropeza and Pavley along with Assemblymembers Huffman, Saldana and Yamada. GREAT support!

For Grace Again Champions Pain Awareness Month
September 2009
We’re excited to announce that September 2009 is officially Pain Awareness Month in the Golden State. ACR 72 was authored by Assembly Member Jared Huffman and we extend a heartfelt thank you to him and his extraordinary staff!

For Grace Champions Pain Awareness Month in California
September 2008
For the 5th consecutive year, For Grace sponsored a resolution proclaiming September as Pain Awareness Month in the Golden State. This year we worked with Senator Carole Migden (D-3rd District) who authored the resolution SR 33. We at For Grace extend a heartfelt thank you to the many California legislators and staffers who despite unforeseen difficulties made this proclamation happen just two days before all adjourned for the year!

Proclamations Trumpet For Grace’s Inaugural Women In Pain Conference
May 2008
For Grace co-hosted the 1st Annual CME Women In Pain Conference: Gender Matters which was held at City of Hope in Duarte, CA.
– CA State Senator Sheila Kuehl has proclaimed May 30, 2008 “Women In Pain Awareness Day” in California. There was an announcement on the Senate floor. 
– LA County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky did the same in LA County. There was an announcement at a supervisor’s meeting.
– LA City Councilmember Wendy Greuel did the same in LA City. Greuel and Toussaint made a presentation at LA City Hall.

For Grace Trumpets Pain Awareness Month in California for the Fourth Consecutive Year
September 2007
For Grace teamed with State Assemblymember Nell Soto to officially proclaim September as Pain Awareness Month in the Golden State. HR 15 calls upon all Californians to observe this month by participating in appropriate ceremonies and activities and by learning how to improve the quality of life for people in California suffering from pain.” September, due to the efforts of Partners for Understanding Pain, has now been recognized nationwide as the month to acknowledge pain as a major health issue in the country.

For Grace Again Champions Pain Awareness Month in California
September 2006
For Grace, for the third consecutive year, has authored a resolution (SR 34) with the sponsorship of State Senator Liz Figueroa proclaiming September as Pain Awareness Month in California. September, due to the efforts of Partners for Understanding Pain, has now been recognized nationwide as the month to acknowledge pain as a major health issue in the country.

For Grace Heralds Pain Awareness Month
September 2005
For Grace championed September as Pain Awareness Month in California for 2004 and is doing the same for 2005. Other pain non-profits are doing this in their states. September is now recognized nationwide as the time to acknowledge pain as a major health issue in the country.

For Grace Champions May as RSD Awarneness Month in Los Angeles County
Los Angeles, CA—May 2005
For Grace founder & spokesperson, Cynthia Toussaint, spoke at the LA County Board of Supervisors’ meeting to compliment Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky’s proclamation. This televised event brought much needed RSD awareness and education to 14 million residents.

Women In Pain Awareness Month
February 2004
For Grace authored a bill proclaiming February as Women In Pain Awareness month in California. SCR 42 was sponsored by Senator Nell Soto and was passed unanimously by the California legislature. This resolution spotlights the gender bias women in pain experience by the medical community in the US. For Grace duplicated this action in the City of Los Angeles with the sponsorship of Councilperson Wendy Greuel.

For Grace Champions Pain Awareness Month in California
September 2004
For Grace has proclaimed September Pain Awareness month in the Golden State as part of a 50-state campaign sponsored by the American Chronic Pain Association’s (ACPA) Partners for Understanding Pain coalition. The resolution (SCR 86), sponsored by State Senator and For Grace board member Liz Figueroa, details the need for greater education about pain in this country.

RSD Awareness Month
May 2003
Through the efforts of For Grace, May 2003 was proclaimed RSD Awareness Month in California and Los Angeles. California State Senator Liz Figueroa made a televised announcement (via the California Channel) from the Senate floor in Sacramento May 15th. LA City Councilwoman Wendy Greuel made a televised presentation (City View LA 35) in the council chamber May 16th. Media actions to complement RSD Awareness month included feature articles in Newsweek, the Contra Costa Times, the Orange County Register, Los Angeles Daily News, the Fremont Argus as well as a health news report on KABC7 Eyewitness News.

RSD Awareness Month
May 2002
For Grace authored a bill proclaiming May 2002 RSD Awareness month in California. SCR 83 was sponsored by State Senator Liz Figueroa and passed unanimously by the state legislature.

For Grace-Led Legislation

For Grace Amps Effort to Forward Pain Care Expansion
October 2022
Last week For Grace leaders tapped their healthcare policy advisory team to craft a proposal that will mandate critical pain care expansion for California’s Medi-Cal recipients. This is part of our effort to implement the goals of the National Pain Strategy on a state level that we hope will prove to be a model for the rest of the country. A mid-October deadline for the proposal has been targeted so legislation can be considered for the 2022-2023 session. For Grace is thrilled to be taking the lead in the Golden State on a policy issue that will surely improve the lives of many.

CA Step Therapy Bill Finally Signed Into Law
September 2015
Fantastic news! The For Grace-led Step Therapy bill, seven years in the making, was signed into law by California Governor Jerry Brown. We sponsored this critical bill for six years and secured three of its four authors. AB 374 reforms an unethical prescription practice used by the health insurance industry. A big THANK YOU to all who had a hand in ending this barrier to care for pain patients.

For Grace Sponsors 2013 Step Therapy Bill!
AB 889 Stalls in Senate Appropriation 
Sad to announce that the For Grace sponsored Step Therapy bill, AB 889, which aimed to overcome barriers to pain (and all) medications here in California, died in Senate Appropriations on August 30th due to a relentless attack from the heath care lobby. Without significant amendments, the bill cannot be reintroduced in 2014 – and AB 889’s author Assembly Member Jim Frazier has no desire to water it down. Nor do we. So, let’s look to the future to fight on with supporting organizations to make the unethical prescription practice of Step Therapy a thing of the past. A gigantic thank you to the pain community for your stories, calls and letters of support! To learn more about Step Therapy (aka, Fail First) and the bill, please link here.

For Grace Champions New Step Therapy Bill!
March 2013
Very pleased to announce that For Grace is sponsoring a 2013 Step Therapy bill that aims to overcome barriers to pain (and all) medications here in California. We’re excited to fight on with this all-important legislation! Introduced by our new Author, Assembly Member Jim Frazier, AB 889 passed by the Assembly floor May 29th with a 56-13 bi-partisan vote – now to the Senate. We’ll be reaching out for your letters and calls of support in the near future. In the meantime, to learn more about Step Therapy (aka, Fail First) and the bill, please link here.

For Grace’s Fail First Bill Vetoed by Governor
Sacramento, CA—September 30th, 2012
A sad day for people with pain. Our bi-partisan supported California Fail First Bill, AB 369, was vetoed by Governor Jerry Brown. We’re deeply disappointed that the Governor chose not to make a better day for the seven million people challenged by pain in the Golden State – but instead went with our opposition, the healthcare industry. Please link here to read Governor Brown’s veto and here to see For Grace’s response. We pledge to fight on and will sponsor a new Fail First bill in the next session. Onward and upward!

For Grace’s 2011-2012 Step Therapy Bill Introduced!
Sacramento, CA—February 2011
We’re proud and honored to again be authored by Assembly Member Jared Huffman this year. AB 369’s co-authors to date are Assembly Members Jim Beall and Mike Feuer along with Senator Fran Pavley. “Fail first”, also known as Step Therapy, is an unethical prescription practice used by health insurance companies to save money at the cost of pain patients. When AB 369 is signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown, it will place ultimate power back into the hands of patient’s physicians rather than their health plans when it comes to pain medications. AB 369 Press Release

For Grace’s Sponsors 2nd “Fail First” Bill!
Sacramento, CA—August 2010
We were proud to sponsor AB 1826, a new “fail first” bill authored by Assembly Members Jared Huffman and Mike Feuer. Despite heavy opposition from the healthcare insurance lobby, we got this bill all the way to Seante Approppriations committee.

For Grace Co-Sponsors CA Bill to Benefit Women In Pain
Sacramento, CA—February 2009
For Grace co-sponsored a California bill, AB 602, that if signed into law by Gov. Schwarzenegger would abolish the unethical “fail first” prescription practice by health insurance plans and companies. The bill was authored by Assembly Member Curren Price and we got it as far as the Assembly Appropriations committee!

For Grace Sponsors California RSD Education Bill—February 2005
Bringing a better day to those with RSD in the Golden State, For Grace sponsored legislation that would mandate an education program for the general public and healthcare professionals. AB 1648, authored by Assemblymember Fran Pavley, was introduced on February 22. For Grace medical director, Dr. Edward Carden, and founder, Cynthia Toussaint, testified in Sacramento before the Assembly Health committee in April to help push AB 1648 further along to passage. The bill is currently on “suspense” in the Assembly Appropriations committee due to the state’s budget crisis.

For Grace Inspired Legislative Hearings

For Grace Legislative Hearing Aims to Better Pain Care for Californians —August 2019
So much good came out of For Grace’ s Legislative Pain Briefing at the California Capitol, we want to share a number of ways that you can experience this ground-breaking day. The National Pain Report’s editor-in-chief Ed Coghlan wrote an excellent recap of the event that includes our efforts to transform pain policy. Also, a webcast archive of the briefing is available, one where you can watch our team of world-class presenters enlighten decision makers about the need to make chronic pain a top public health priority in the Golden State. Last, you can view our pictures on Flickr that capture the passion and energy that kick-started a better day for the 6-12 million Californians challenged by chronic pain.

For Grace Spearheads Women In Pain California Legislative Hearing—February 2004
From the genesis of founder Cynthia Toussaint’s Women In Pain petition, For Grace championed a Senate legislative hearing sponsored by the Legislative Women’s Caucus and the Health & Human Services Committee that was held in Sacramento. The event examined the gender bias and systemic under treatment women in pain experience in the healthcare community. Link here for an overview of the hearing.

California Senate Informational Hearing on RSD—May 2001
In Los Angeles, Cynthia spearheaded the first California Senate hearing dedicated to the issues of RSD. She gave key testimony at the all-day forum which also included testimony by a wide-range of pain specialists and state officials.

Other Legislative & Policy Actions

For Grace On Board Bay State Pain Awareness Proclamation
Boston, MA – September 2021
As one of many advocacy actions For Grace is taking this month, including our September 24th 10th Annual Women In Pain Conference,  we co-sponsored a Massachusetts proclamation that touts September as Pain Awareness Month in the Bay State.  Lead by the efforts of the US Pain Foundation, the proclamation makes the case that chronic pain is a major health problem which affects one in four adults in the US.  We’re proud to be partnering with 10 other pain organizations on this much-needed awareness that addresses the impact of chronic pain on society.

Alliance to Prevent the Abuse of Medicines Educational Briefing
Washington DC—April 9th, 2014 
For Grace spokesperson Cynthia Toussaint was the guest speaker at this event that educated legislators about pain and critical access to appropriate therapies. This briefing was held in the Rayburn Building on Capitol Hill and included a roundtable discussion with key stakeholders in the medication supply chain as well as a screening of the Discovery Channel’s documentary Pain Matters. See Press Release.

For Grace Spearheads Staff Briefing to Propose Pain Management Commission
Sacramento, CA—December 1, 2010
For Grace, in partnership with the Legislative Women’s Caucus, convened a staff briefing to explore the possibility of replicating Oregon’s Pain Management Commission in California. Presenters included For Grace spokesperson, Cynthia Toussaint, Dean Diane Hoffmann, Professor of Law at the University of Maryland, Dr. Scott Fishman, Director of Pain Management UC Davis and Jennifer Wagner, former Director of the Oregon Pain Management Commission.

Pain Leaders Request CA AG to Invesitgate Unethical Prescription Practices
Los Angeles, CA—July 2009
For Grace co-hosted a media conference call to request an investigation by California Attorney General Jerry Brown into discrimination by health insurance companies regarding unethical prescription practices that negatively impact minority pain patients.

For Grace Endorses National Pain Act
July 2007
For Grace was proud to endorse the 2007 Consensus Statement for the National Pain Care Policy Act. For more information, please visit the American Pain Foundation website.

For Grace Founder Trailblazes RSD/WIP Awareness with State Assembly Run
February – June 2006
Utilizing the profile that came with her political run, Cynthia spoke before dozens of Democratic gatherings in the Los Angeles area and Sacramento. She educated audiences about RSD/CRPS and the gender bias against women in pain, as well as supporting a universal health care plan for all Californians.

RSD Awareness Spreads to California’s Department of Managed Health Care
March 2003
For Grace has provided the impetus for the first-ever RSD review protocols at the DMHC, the regulatory agency which oversees HMOs in California. Senior staff, health care support and call-center associates have received comprehensive education about RSD and the importance of time-sensitive medical intervention. RSD is now designated as a “trigger” condition that prompts immediate escalation of complaints to an urgent-care nurse. Also, new database procedures are in place to track RSD-related calls and complaint resolutions.

For Grace Legislative Committee

For Grace Assembles Legislative Committee to Spark Policy Action
March 2015
We’re excited at For Grace to have put together a committee of legislators, facilitators, community leaders, law experts and women in pain to forge policy actions. This distinguished group will decide future For Grace legislative actions that will improve the lives of people with pain in California and beyond.

Committee Members:

Gary Erickson
Diane Hoffmann
Jennifer Hughes
Senator Liz Figueroa—Chair
Beth Darnall, Ph.D.
John Garrett
Cynthia Toussaint
Mindy Meyer—Advisor