Accomplishments
What I have done for you in the legislature
Creating a structure for constructive change; Committees I serve on:
What I have done in my work
The primary focus of my work over the past 34 years has been advocating for those who suffer from chronic or end-of-life pain, and the mental health and addictive disorders that accompany them. I have fought to achieve the challenging balance between pain and addiction.
What I have done outside work
- Co-Sponsor, author of HB 66 and HB 1712, a nationally recognized, first in the nation approach to creating low cost, community-based models of integrative health care.
- Co-sponsor and author of SB 561, a unique approach to fixing a significant barrier to access to health care by reforming prior authorization
- Prime sponsor/author HB 1604: lowering unnecessary costs in health care by reforming the electronic medical record
- Prime sponsor/author HB 1318, a first in the nation approach to using opioid abatement funds to create integrative models of pain care as an alternative to opioids, and creating unique models of care for those requiring long-term opioid therapy
- Prime sponsor/author, HB 303 and co-sponsor/author HB 554, creating strategies to increase access to alternative therapies for various health care needs.
- HB 1252, co-sponsor: creating a committee to study the various needs of Native Americans in New Hampshire
- HB 1222: author of amendments to create responsible increase in practice responsibilities of health care extenders.
- HB 224: supporting access to care for women with high-risk pregnancies in their third trimester
- SB 239: author of several amendments to provide responsible increase in access to harm reduction services for those who suffer from alcohol and drug addiction.
Creating a structure for constructive change; Committees I serve on:
- Member, House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Commission
- Chairman and Founder, Integrative Pain Care Committee
- Vice Chairman, Opioid Abatement Commission
- Member State Health Assessment and State Health Improvement Plan Advisory Council
- Member, Commission on the Behavioral Health Crisis
- Member Therapeutic Medical Cannabis Oversight Board
- Member Rare Disease Advisory Council
- Member, Problem Solver’s Caucus
- Founder, committee on insurance prior authorization reform (ad hoc)
- Member, Native American Health Care Committee (ad hoc)
What I have done in my work
The primary focus of my work over the past 34 years has been advocating for those who suffer from chronic or end-of-life pain, and the mental health and addictive disorders that accompany them. I have fought to achieve the challenging balance between pain and addiction.
- I wrote the critically reviewed book Needless Suffering; How Society Fails Those with Chronic Pain. Sold on 4 continents, the book has been described as blueprint for public policy pertinent to pain, addiction, and other mental health disorders.
- I co-chair the National Football League Players Association Committee on pain management. I am the lead author on the best practices guide designed to empower professional athletes and non-athletes with the knowledge they need to manage their pain in a whole person/whole life way. This is the only document of its type ever published.
- I co-founded the New Hampshire Pain Task Force and co-authored the State rules regarding opioid prescription as well as subsequent revisions.
- I co-founded the New Hampshire Prescription Abuse Task Force to counter the beginnings of the opioid crisis.
- I co-founded the New Hampshire Pain Collaborative as a way of empowering those who suffer from pain.
- I created the Florence, David, and Mary Nagel Professorship at the University of Rochester Medical School dedicated to teaching whole person/whole life pain care to medical students
- I served on the Governor’s Opioid Prescription Advisory Council
- I am the founder and President of the Nagel Pain Community, a non-profit dedicated to improving access to whole person care for those who suffer from pain and addiction.
- I am the founder and President of the Over the Rainbow Project, dedicated to improving pain care, addiction care, access to health care, and teaching Doctor-Patient Communication
- I have served on several regional and national advisory councils on pain care.
- I have co-authored first in the nation legislation here in NH guaranteeing patients in pain have access to needed medications.
- I have co-authored legislation mandating e-prescription to improve access to care
- I helped create the New Hampshire Acupuncture Practice Act
- I have served on the New Hampshire Medical Society Legislative Committee for over 20 years.
- I served as a fellow for the Center for Practical Bioethics in Kansas City charged with identifying issues of disparity and creating solutions.
- I have co-authored innumerable articles on pain care, advocacy, public policy, and heath care policy always challenging the status quo.
- I have served as a board member, Temescal Wellness Cannabis Dispensary
What I have done outside work
- I served as Scoutmaster of Troop 242 for 10 years and committee member of Cub Scout Pack 242 in Gilmanton. Under my guidance, our Troop was one of the first in the state to be designated a Unit of Honor. Fifteen boys earned their Eagle Scout, and I was named Scoutmaster of the Year.
- I served on the Board of the Gilmanton Youth Organization. I helped oversee the creation of the athletic fields. I coached basketball, baseball, and soccer
- I have served as a Parent, Coach, Benefactor for Holy Trinity Catholic School/St Andre Bessette Parish in Laconia. My wife and I have been instrumental in the restoration of the basketball court.
- I have been a member and benefactor of St. Joseph’s Parish, Belmont for 29 years, and have served as a cantor for the best 22 years.
- I have served as a benefactor of Catholic Charities of New Hampshire. I serve as a member Health Care Committee,
- I have served as a benefactor of the New Hampshire Food Bank
- I have served as a benefactor of the Native American Community Services of Western New York