Rep. Jon Echols prevailed upon the legislature to fix a terrible problem that the 2018 legislature created for chronic pain sufferers. The Attorney General's effort to crack down on opioid abuse through tough criminal enforcement has led to terrible suffering made worse for the most vulnerable among us.
His legislation SB848, specifically rolls back the requirement that long-term chronic pain sufferers seek a new prescription every 30 days. It will now require a prescription every 180 days, when this becomes new law. In Echols' floor speech, he explains that the opioide dangers lay primarily with new patients who's recent injury prescription turns into a long term habit. Echols referenced his many letters from chronic pain sufferers who describe terrible difficulty in arranging and attending monthly appointments, since they are often homebound and their mobility is very difficult to accommodate. The opioide law forbids the use of telemed appointments, refillable prescriptions, and other obstacles. |
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Lawmaker NewsA study of legislation being pondered at the Oklahoma State Capitol. Archives
January 2022
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