Health News
Gov. Steve Beshear received only two standing ovations during his State of the Commonwealth address last night, when he mentioned Kentucky soldiers and when he talked about fighting prescription drug abuse. (Photo by John Flavell, The Associated Press)
UPDATE, Jan. 6: House Republican Leader Jeff Hoover said at the state Chamber of Commerce dinner last night, "We will do something this session about this terrible plague," which is "crippling our society."
- Broad Front Of Officials, Health-care Leaders Hold Press Conference To Promote Fighting Rx Drug Abuse
Representing a united front, policymakers from both sides of the political aisle, law enforcement, medical officials and other leaders stood by Gov. Steve Beshear Monday in support of attacking the state's prescription drug abuse problem head-on with...
- Lawmakers Hear Testimony About State's Pill Mill Problem, Discuss Whether To Put All Prescription-drug Issues Into One Bill
With a raid on a pain clinic in Paintsville making headlines yesterday morning, state legislators heard from community leaders and officials telling them to pass legislation to curb the proliferation of pill mills. Lois Windhorst, best known as a leader...
- Pain Clinics In Texas Skirting Law By Calling Themselves 'wellness' Or 'rehab' Facilities
Calling themselves rehabilitation or wellness clinics is the latest way operators of pill mills are skirting the law in Texas, which requires pain management clinics to register and be inspected by the state medical board. The issue is one to consider...
- Herald-leader Endorses Sen. Higdon's Pill-mill Legislation
A pre-filed bill that would require background checks for people planning to open pain clinics, prohibit convicted felons from running them, and require that a physician in such a clinic own part of it, is a step in the right direction in fighting against...
- State Officials Step Up Efforts Against Prescription Drug Abuse, Targeting Doctors
By Tara Kaprowy and Al Cross Kentucky Health News LEXINGTON ? Targeting what Gov. Steve Beshear called "drug dealers in white coats" is the goal of a new effort against prescription drug abuse in Kentucky, which is killing more Kentuckians than traffic...
Health News
Expect action against pill mills, Beshear says in State of Commonwealth address; House GOP leader promises it
Gov. Steve Beshear received only two standing ovations during his State of the Commonwealth address last night, when he mentioned Kentucky soldiers and when he talked about fighting prescription drug abuse. (Photo by John Flavell, The Associated Press)UPDATE, Jan. 6: House Republican Leader Jeff Hoover said at the state Chamber of Commerce dinner last night, "We will do something this session about this terrible plague," which is "crippling our society."
Beshear called the problem one "of the largest threats to productivity and health in our communities" and referred to the Kentucky Health Issues Poll, which showed 32 percent of Kentuckians have either a family member or friend who has battled prescription drug abuse. A report from the Kentucky Department of Public Health showed more Kentuckians die from prescription drug overdoses than from car accidents.
"Think about that: Our medicine cabinets are deadlier than our highways," Beshear said. As such, legislators should expect "to consider a wide-ranging package of legislation designed to strengthen KASPER, including making participation mandatory, and cracking down on pill pushers in white coats and on pill mills in Kentucky." Kentucky All-Schedule Prescription Electronic Reporting is the state's prescription drug monitoring system.
Sen. Jimmy Higdon, R-Lebanon, has pre-filed a bill that would require background checks for people planning to open pain clinics, prohibit convicted felons from running them, and required that a physician in such a clinic own part of it.
To view the entirety of Beshear's address, click here.
- Broad Front Of Officials, Health-care Leaders Hold Press Conference To Promote Fighting Rx Drug Abuse
Representing a united front, policymakers from both sides of the political aisle, law enforcement, medical officials and other leaders stood by Gov. Steve Beshear Monday in support of attacking the state's prescription drug abuse problem head-on with...
- Lawmakers Hear Testimony About State's Pill Mill Problem, Discuss Whether To Put All Prescription-drug Issues Into One Bill
With a raid on a pain clinic in Paintsville making headlines yesterday morning, state legislators heard from community leaders and officials telling them to pass legislation to curb the proliferation of pill mills. Lois Windhorst, best known as a leader...
- Pain Clinics In Texas Skirting Law By Calling Themselves 'wellness' Or 'rehab' Facilities
Calling themselves rehabilitation or wellness clinics is the latest way operators of pill mills are skirting the law in Texas, which requires pain management clinics to register and be inspected by the state medical board. The issue is one to consider...
- Herald-leader Endorses Sen. Higdon's Pill-mill Legislation
A pre-filed bill that would require background checks for people planning to open pain clinics, prohibit convicted felons from running them, and require that a physician in such a clinic own part of it, is a step in the right direction in fighting against...
- State Officials Step Up Efforts Against Prescription Drug Abuse, Targeting Doctors
By Tara Kaprowy and Al Cross Kentucky Health News LEXINGTON ? Targeting what Gov. Steve Beshear called "drug dealers in white coats" is the goal of a new effort against prescription drug abuse in Kentucky, which is killing more Kentuckians than traffic...