SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Fine’s legislation to ensure patients suffering from chronic pain receive necessary treatments has been signed into law.

“Patients with legitimate chronic pain are placed at further risk of self-medicating or mental and physical harm if they are restricted from accessing necessary medical treatment,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “Those suffering from chronic pain due to an injury or illness will now receive the care they need without barriers or misunderstandings.”

House Bill 5373 reflects new guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the prescribing of opioids for chronic pain. The new law allows physicians to authorize necessary prescriptions for controlled substances, including opioids, without strict limitations based on dosage amounts except as provided under federal law.

Additionally, this law seeks to protect patient confidentiality by preventing the release of opioid prescription and treatment information without legal order verified by the Illinois Department of Human Services or an administrative subpoena from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

“Chronic pain should be managed with the proper prescription by a physician who is treating the patient – not by limitations that fail to address the appropriate level of treatment needed,” said Fine. “This measure will facilitate access to essential health care services and ease the suffering for some individuals in chronic pain.”

House Bill 5373 was signed into law Friday and took immediate effect.