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Victory! Illinois General Assembly Clears ISMS-Backed Bill to Support Patients Suffering from Chronic Pain

Jan 10, 2025

Earlier this week, during the General Assembly’s lame duck session, the Illinois House passed ISMS-backed House Bill 5373 unanimously to help patients suffering from chronic pain to secure treatment as prescribed by their physician. The Senate had also voted unanimously in favor of the bill last November.

Next, the legislation will be sent to Governor Pritzker’s desk.

The passage of this bill by the General Assembly is a win for physicians and patients as too many doctors have become reluctant to prescribe opioid treatments to patients suffering from chronic pain out of fear of being criminalized or having their license suspended or revoked. In 2016, states, including Illinois, began implementing policies that severely restrict the prescription of Schedule II opioids.

Every patient is different. Pain treatment should be tailored to the needs of the individual.

House Bill 5373 also seeks to further safeguard the purpose of Illinois’ Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) as a clinical tool by stipulating that any data held within the PMP must only be supplied to law enforcement pursuant to an active investigation (a court order or subpoena).

ISMS will update you following the governor’s action on this bill.

Questions? Please contact ISMS Senior Vice President of State Legislative Affairs Erin O'Brien by email.
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