Many Missourians want to avoid opioids when given an option for dealing with pain, and one state representative wants to make sure they know what their choices are.
Representative Melanie Stinnett (Photo: Tim Bommel, Missouri House Communications)
House Bill 2182 would require the Department of Health and Senior Services to create an educational pamphlet on the use of non-opioid options for pain management. It would cover pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments and related advantages and disadvantages.
The proposal has not been referred to a committee. With the session entering early March, Stinnett knows that isn’t encouraging, but she’s hopeful the one-page provision can be added to some other legislation. Even if it does not gain traction this year, she said the Department has been receptive and could create a pamphlet anyway.
In any case, she wants to see her idea become law to make sure such pamphlets are created, maintained, and updated as an ongoing educational tool.
Even in the absence of a pamphlet, Stinnett encourages Missourians to talk to their doctors and ask about their options.