For the past several days I have been following the news on Florida Governor Rick Scott's decision to repeal the state's pending presciption drug monitoring program.
On Sunday, I posted a well-received diary FL Gov. Scott's Oxycontin problem. This diary touched on the effect that lax regulation of Florida's "pill mill" pain clinics are having in places like Appalachian Kentucky. The focus was on a "sternly-worded letter" from Hal Rogers (R, KY-05) addressed to fellow Republican Gov. Scott in Florida, encouraging him to reconsider his repeal effort.
Yesterday, I discovered that Senators Schumer, Whitehouse, (Bill) Nelson and Manchin had similarly appealed to Gov. Scott to implement the program and cut down on the flow of illegal prescription drugs via the "flamingo express". Also yesterday, the Florida Society of Pain Management Providers chimed in on the matter, debunking Gov. Scott's claim that one of the reasons for this desire to repeal is budget-related. The FSPMP pointed out how funding has been secured through federal grants and private donations to fund the project for at least its first two years of operation. I wrote about it again here yesterday: Some Updates to FL Gov. Rick Scott's "OxyContin problem"
Today, Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear keeps the pressure on with a sternly-worded letter of his own. Excerpts and a link to his letter after the jump...
But first two quick things:
1) a quick synopsis of what the program is intended to do:
The program was signed into law by Scott’s predecessor, Charlie Crist, in an effort to address prescription drug abuse in Florida. If it were to be implemented by the Department of Health, the program would establish a system to cross-reference patients who are potentially doctor-shopping, or simultaneously seeking care and medicine from multiple practitioners.
Source link
2) Friendly reminder to give Gov. Scott a call if you're so inclined: 850-488-4441.
Without further adieu, here's Gov. Beshear:
“I implore you to reconsider your decision, and implement this life-saving program.…despite these tough economic times, protecting the safety of Americans, as this system would do, must remain a priority for governors.”
snip
“I would be glad to travel to meet with you wherever and whenever convenient for you, including in your home state,” ... “Meeting with you to convince you of the importance of this system is of highest priority to me.”
Kentucky's Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo (a surgeon) concurs:
For two years I worked in a bi-partisan manner with Florida legislators and the director of Florida’s Office of Drug Control to get their system enacted into law in 2009. Now Gov. Scott wants to dismantle it. This isn’t about tough financial times, it’s about the toll being taken in human lives.”
Link to full text of Gov. Beshear's letter (.pdf)
Gov. Rick Scott's phone number once again is 850-488-4441.