HR0426 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0426 LRB095 12164 DRJ 36266 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, More than 100 million Americans suffer from persistent pain; and

WHEREAS, Pain is the primary reason for persons to seek medical care; and

WHEREAS, More than one-half of hospitalized patients experience moderate to severe pain in the last days of their lives; and

WHEREAS, Inadequately managed pain diminishes a person's quality of life; and

WHEREAS, Most pain can be relieved or greatly eased with existing therapies; and

WHEREAS, Certain barriers exist that inhibit the effective management of pain, including fears about pain relieving medications, lack of knowledge among health care professionals on how to properly assess and treat pain, poor communication between patients and their health care providers, the low priority given to pain control in our health care system, and government policies which do not promote effective pain management; and

WHEREAS, Illinois compared poorly to other states for its public policies that affect pain management according to a national study published in 2006 by the Pain & Policy Studies Group at the University of Wisconsin; and

WHEREAS, Pain management should be recognized, supported and encouraged as part of general medical practice; and

WHEREAS, All individuals with pain would benefit from having their pain thoroughly assessed and promptly treated; and

WHEREAS, Appropriate application of pain management practices 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, Education of all healthcare practitioners is essential to improving care; and

WHEREAS, Healthcare providers in many settings, such as acute, chronic, long-term and end of life, care daily for patients in pain and have the professional responsibility to promote improved patient care; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, and the Illinois Department of Human Services are encouraged to address pain as a public health problem by making information available to consumers and health care providers through their respective web sites; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation solicit from its various health related professional boards a joint resolution that recognizes the importance of effective pain management in the treatment and care of patients; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation solicit from the Medical Licensing Board and the Medical Disciplinary Board their advice and counsel regarding the feasibility of adopting by rule standards of professional conduct in providing effective pain management treatment in the general practice of medicine and that the Department disseminate to Illinois physicians information regarding the rule once adopted; and be it further

RESOLVED, That public and private sources are encouraged to promote better pain management education to both Illinois health care professionals and consumers; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Illinois General Assembly evaluate Illinois' public policies that have the potential to affect pain management and take the necessary steps to improve them; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the Governor, the Director of Public Health, the Director of Healthcare and Family Services, the Secretary of Human Services, and the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation.