SPRINGFIELD – Working with advocates for patients with chronic pain and the State Medical Society, State Senator Laura Fine advanced legislation authorizing prescribers to make chronic pain health treatment decisions for their patients. In 2016, states began instituting policies severely restricting the prescription of certain opioids, however, for some patients this is a life-saving treatment.

“Chronic pain patients who cannot access the proper treatments may turn to self-medicating with dangerous alternatives. These alternatives can put a patient's physical and mental health at risk,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “This initiative allows for healthcare professionals to make medical decisions based on their patient’s needs.”

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

CHICAGO – In a continuing effort to ensure every Illinoisan has access to mental health and substance abuse care, Senate Behavioral and Mental Health Committee Chair Laura Fine held a joint subject matter hearing Thursday with State Representative Lindsey LaPointe to discuss financial and administrative barriers facing providers.

“Identifying the challenges facing mental health and substance abuse providers is essential in meeting responsible care standards and ensuring access to treatment,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “Organizations and programs struggle to further expand accessibility due to financial barriers, high staff turnover rates and the lack of proper resources. It is crucial that future funding and policies appropriately reflect their needs.”

Continuing from her first subject matter hearing in Chicago, Fine discussed the current challenges facing substance abuse, prevention and recovery providers across Illinois, including upgrading IT services, staff retention, staff salary constraints, reimbursement disparity based on a provider’s licensure, restriction for requesting funding and funding cuts.

SPRINGFIELD – Senate Behavioral and Mental Health Chair Laura Fine held a joint subject matter hearing with State Representative Lindsey LaPointe Monday to discuss funding for addiction resources and treatments.

“As health care needs continue to evolve, it is crucial that we reflect on responsible investments to address equitable access of such care,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “Hearing from subject matter experts and medical providers on the impact of their services allows us to make informed plans for future investments.”

Teams of panelists shared about current health care accessibility needs across the state, and how meaningful funding could expand treatments and resources to a variety of communities. Representatives of several addiction treatment providers, including Jeremy Klamanski from the Gateway Foundation and Executive Director of the Chicago Recovery Alliance John Werning, addressed the committee, focusing their testimony on increasing funding for harm reduction supplies and access to quality care.

CHICAGO – State Senator Laura Fine secured a total of $118,000 in library and literacy grants for the Howard Area Community Center and Evanston Public Library.

“This funding invests in our youth and provides the community who utilize libraries and local community centers with necessary resources” said Fine (D-Glenview). “The services, tools, and expanded accessibility facilitated by these investments is critical to the success of our children, their families and our communities as a whole.”

The grants were awarded by Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias, who has awarded nearly $22 million for library services and $6 million for literacy programs throughout the state.