HR1305 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1305 LRB095 21017 DRJ 50575 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Inadequate pain relief is a serious public health problem in Illinois; and

WHEREAS, The American Pain Foundation has estimated that 50 million people suffer from persistent pain which is associated with lost wages and loss of productivity by American workers; and

WHEREAS, Many factors contribute to uncured or inadequately managed pain and all individuals with pain would benefit from having their pain thoroughly assessed and promptly treated as pain is often accompanied by other symptoms that need to be managed along with the pain; and

WHEREAS, The General Assembly also finds that appropriate application of excellent pain and symptom management practices, including the use of different treatment modalities, improves the quality of life for those who suffer from pain while reducing the morbidity and cost associated with untreated or inappropriately treated pain; and

WHEREAS, There has been no comprehensive study in Illinois of the prevalence of intractable pain in the citizens of Illinois, nor has there been an assessment of the pain and symptom management practices of Illinois health care professionals; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the Task Force on Pain Management be created within the Illinois Department of Public Health to develop a plan to address untreated pain and lack of symptom management as a public health problem; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the plan shall include, but not be limited to:

(1) A comprehensive study of pain management conducted by the Institute of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois;

(2) Approaches to assessing pain and symptom management, including advice and recommendations concerning acute and chronic pain and symptom management treatment practices, State statutes and rules regarding pain and symptom management, and use of alternative therapies for pain and symptom management;

(3) Recommendations to appropriate public and private entities on acute and chronic pain and symptom management education provided by professional boards or others in the State, acute and chronic pain and symptom management needs of adults, children, and racial and ethnic minority and medically underserved populations, development of a drug repository for unused drugs used for pain and symptom management, and treatment of pain at the end of life; and

(4) Recommendations to State licensing boards on integrating pain and symptom management into the customary practice of health care professionals and identifying the roles and responsibilities of the various health care professionals in pain and symptom management and on the duration and content of continuing education requirements for pain and symptom management, on improving access to pain and symptom management in racial and ethnic minority and medically underserved populations, including the elderly population, and on improving access to pain and symptom management for children and adolescents; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall be composed of the following members: the Director of Public Health or his or her designee; the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation or his or her designee; the Director of Healthcare and Family Services or his or her designee; the Secretary of Human Services or his or her designee; the Director of the Institute of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois or his or her designee; and a maximum of 20 public members appointed by the Governor who shall include, but not be limited to, representatives of the health care provider organizations, minority health organizations, and other users and providers of healthcare; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall also consult with additional entities, the University of Illinois at Urbana, Institute of Government and Public Affairs, voluntary health organizations not represented on the task force, advocates, consumers, relevant professional organizations, and other appropriate entities; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall begin to conduct business upon the appointment of a majority of the voting members; members shall serve without compensation; and the Department shall provide staff and administrative support services to the Task Force; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly no later than December 31, 2011; and that the Task Force shall be dissolved after the filing of this report.