Health News
- Senate Panel Oks Pill-mill Bill With Provision Moving Prescription-monitoring System To Attorney General's Office
Over the objections of the Kentucky Medical Association, a Senate committee today approved a bill that would "transfer oversight of the state?s prescription-monitoring system from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to the attorney general?s office,"...
- 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...
- Bills Would Require More Assessment Before A Patient Can Be Admitted To A Personal-care Home
Legislation dubbed "Larry's Law" is aimed at preventing what happened to Larry Lee from happening again. House Bill 307, filed by Democratic Rep. Terry Mills, right, "would require an individual to be examined and assessed by a medical professional...
- 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)...
- Nearly 1 In 3 Kentuckians Say They Know A Friend Or Relative Who Has Struggled With Prescription-pill Abuse, Poll Finds
Almost one in three Kentuckians say they have a friend or relative that has had problems stemming from prescription drug abuse, the Kentucky Health Issues Poll has found. In Eastern Kentucky, 43.2 percent of respondents said "yes" when asked if a family...
Health News
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 pill mills, the Lexington Herald-Leader says in an editorial.
The bill has been pre-filed by Sen. Jimmy Higdon, R-Lebanon, right. "There are things that can, and should be done legislatively in the short-term to make it harder for pill pushers to stay in business in Kentucky and, therefore, limit access to prescription pain pills for people who aren't in medical need of them," the editorial says, referring to a recent survey showing nearly a third of Kentucky adults know a friend or family member who have abused pain medicine. In Eastern Kentucky, 43.2 percent of respondents said "yes" when asked the question. in the Lexington area, it was 39.4 percent. Western Kentucky had the lowest number at 19.7 percent.
The bill has been pre-filed by Sen. Jimmy Higdon, R-Lebanon, right. "There are things that can, and should be done legislatively in the short-term to make it harder for pill pushers to stay in business in Kentucky and, therefore, limit access to prescription pain pills for people who aren't in medical need of them," the editorial says, referring to a recent survey showing nearly a third of Kentucky adults know a friend or family member who have abused pain medicine. In Eastern Kentucky, 43.2 percent of respondents said "yes" when asked the question. in the Lexington area, it was 39.4 percent. Western Kentucky had the lowest number at 19.7 percent. "Surprised? Perhaps not," the editorial reads. "Alarmed? Absolutely." (Read more)
- Senate Panel Oks Pill-mill Bill With Provision Moving Prescription-monitoring System To Attorney General's Office
Over the objections of the Kentucky Medical Association, a Senate committee today approved a bill that would "transfer oversight of the state?s prescription-monitoring system from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to the attorney general?s office,"...
- 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...
- Bills Would Require More Assessment Before A Patient Can Be Admitted To A Personal-care Home
Legislation dubbed "Larry's Law" is aimed at preventing what happened to Larry Lee from happening again. House Bill 307, filed by Democratic Rep. Terry Mills, right, "would require an individual to be examined and assessed by a medical professional...
- 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)...
- Nearly 1 In 3 Kentuckians Say They Know A Friend Or Relative Who Has Struggled With Prescription-pill Abuse, Poll Finds
Almost one in three Kentuckians say they have a friend or relative that has had problems stemming from prescription drug abuse, the Kentucky Health Issues Poll has found. In Eastern Kentucky, 43.2 percent of respondents said "yes" when asked if a family...