Senate's only licensed physician continues to block prescription drug monitoring plan
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Senate's only licensed physician continues to block prescription drug monitoring plan

Date: March 20, 2012
By: Andrew Weil
State Capitol Bureau
Links: SB 710

Intro: 
The only doctor in the Senate continues to block a vote on a plan that would add a prescription drug monitoring program to the state.
RunTime:  0:38
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Dr. and Republican St. Joseph Senator Rob Schaaf continued to delay a vote on Tuesday on a prescription drug monitoring program. 

Schaaf says the plan infringes on the liberties of Missourians.

Republican Smithville Senator Luann Ridgeway also spoke against the plan.

She says the legislation assumes everyone is a crook who is going to abuse the prescription pad. 

Actuality:  RIDGE3.WAV
Run Time:  00:09
Description: "We're making government for 100% of the people to address the 10% or the 8% or the 2% of the people who are the problem."

Earlier this year, a similar bill passed overwhelmingly in the House with only 6 no votes.

Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Andrew Weil.

Intro: 
The Senate's only doctor continued to block a vote on a plan to create a prescription drug monitoring program for the state.
RunTime:  0:40
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Republican St. Joseph Senator Rob Schaaf on Tuesday continued to delay a vote on a plan to create a statewide database to monitor prescription drug use.

Schaaf says the plan would create roadblocks in the way of patients getting the true medication they really need.

Republican Farmington Senator Kevin Engler is the bill sponsor.

He says the state already keeps track of prescriptions bought with insurance or through medicaid.

Actuality:  ENGLER6.WAV
Run Time:  00:06
Description: "The only one is ones that pay cash, the ones that are selling them primarily in the secondary market do we not keep track."
 
A similar bill has already passed this year overwhelmingly in the House by a vote of 143 yes and 6 no's.
 
Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Andrew Weil.