Illinois Senate unanimously passes bill expanding chronic pain treatment

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Illinois senators passed a bill Wednesday to expand treatment for people suffering from chronic pain.

States implemented policies in 2016 that severely restricted doctors from prescribing opioids, even though chronic pain patients needed them.

House Bill 5373 will allow physicians to make prescriptions for controlled substances without strict limitations based on dosage amounts.

"Doctors became reluctant to prescribe opioids to chronic pain patients for fear of being criminalized or losing their license," said Sen. Laura Fine (D-Glenview). "As a result, patients with legitimate need for these drugs are at risk of self-medicating and putting their mental and physical health in jeopardy."

The plan would also protect patient confidentiality by preventing release of treatment information without a legal order verified by the Illinois Department of Human Services or an administrative subpoena from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

"Patients who need prescriptions that don't conform to current recommended guidelines continue to suffer from chronic pain or risk health complications from lack of proper treatment," Fine said. "This legislation will ensure medical professionals can provide the necessary, life-saving services to suffering patients."

This bill passed unanimously out of the Senate. It will now return to the House on concurrence due to a Senate amendment. The measure previously passed unanimously out of the House in April.