Rep. Amore bill that excludes chronic intractable pain from medication prescribing guidelines passed by House

STATE HOUSE – Rep. Gregg Amore’s (D-Dist. 65, East Providence) legislation (2021-H 5247) that would exclude chronic intractable pain from the definition of “acute pain management” for the purposes of prescribing opioid medication was passed by the House of Representatives.

Representative Amore has introduced this bill for the past several legislative sessions.

“As we have witnessed the COVID-19 pandemic severely exacerbate our state’s opioid abuse crisis, we must make sure that our public policy in regard to addressing the opioid crisis does not have the unintended consequence of hurting patients who are trying to manage chronic pain.  These patients are not addicts, they are suffering with pain associated with cancer, palliative care, and in many cases, chronic intractable pain.  We need to let physicians determine how best to manage their patients’ pain,” said Representative Amore.

Representative Amore has introduced the legislation at the behest of Claudia Mirandi, a constituent of District 65, who is also the founder of “Don’t Punish Pain”, a Rhode Island patient-advocacy organization for those suffering from chronic intractable pain.

Chronic intractable pain is defined as pain that is excruciating, constant, incurable, and of such severity that it dominates virtually every conscious moment.  It also produces mental and physical debilitation and may produce a desire to commit suicide for the sole purpose of stopping the pain.

The bill calls for new guidelines for the treatment of chronic intractable pain be based upon the consideration of the individualized needs of patients suffering from chronic intractable pain.  The legislation acknowledges that every patient and their needs is different, especially those suffering from chronic pain.

The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.