The Pain Care Coalition was originally formed in 2000 by the American Academy of Pain Medicine, the American Pain Society and the American Headache Society.  ASA formally joined in 2004. This coalition works to provide a unified voice regarding pain medicine causes in the legislative process.

The stated mission of the Pain Care Coalition is:  "To develop, monitor and advocate for responsible Federal Healthcare Policy on behalf of persons with pain by addressing quality of care and access to care issues through legislative, regulatory, and policy research mechanisms."