Physicians Testify in Frankfort on Pill Mill Bill
FRANKFORT Kentucky physicians and representatives for hospitals, nurses and pharmacists testified in Frankfort on August 15, 2012, during a hearing before the Implementation and Oversight Committee on HB 1, known as the Pill Mill Bill.
Testimony addressed various problems such as medical providers in Emergency Rooms following the regulations requiring that a doctor or nurse practitioner administering a controlled substance document a treatment plan, obtain a patient’s written informed consent and perform a KASPER inquiry prior to prescribing Schedule II and III controlled substances. Melissa Platt, MD, president of Kentucky chapter American College of Emergency Physicians said that in “an ambulance or emergency department physicians do not directly administer the medications. Either qualified nurses or paramedics complete the physical act.”
Gregory A. Hood, MD, FACP, Governor ACP Kentucky chapter testified that the problems with HB 1 “lie not with its necessity and good intentions, but rather with the vast number of unintended consequences created along this path of good intentions.”
HB 1 requires the physician to perform a complete history and exam before prescribing controlled substances. In response to that requirement, Robert Bratton, Chief Medical Officer, Lexington Clinic noted that certain specialists do not perform complete histories and exams. He cites ophthalmologists as an example of a “specialist who performs a medical history relevant to the problem he/she is treating.”
Kentucky Medical Association (KMA) president Shawn Jones, MD, and KMA Executive Director Patrick Padgett addressed decriminalizing administrative, record keeping and reporting requirements of the bill; exempting Schedule IV and V for episodic pain among other issues.
Additional hearings will be heard by the committee. For more information contact the KMA, 502 426 6200.
Lexington Medical Society Golf Outing
LEXINGTON The annual Lexington Medical Society (lMS) Golf Tournament was played under sparkling blue skies and excellent weather conditions on Wednesday August 29, 2012 at the University Club in Lexington with 90 golfers participating.
The winning team in the 18 hole shamble format was Eddie Burkhart, Marty Chiles and Nick Landers. Second place went to the Central Baptist team of John Voss, MD, Rusty Page MD, Derrick Hord and Mike Rukavina, MD. Other winners were closest to the pin, Bruce Broudy, MD and Robin Bradley; longest drive by female, Wendy Cropper, MD.
The LMS golf outing was started 23 years ago to bring physicians and community members together,” said John Collins, MD, Lexington Clinic, chair of the LMS Golf Committee and tournament organizer. The first outing was about 40 participants. The proceeds from the tournament go to the Lexington Medical Society Foundation which takes requests for needy organizations with connections to the medical field.
The LMS foundation was originally organized to start the local blood bank. Now organizations such as Baby Health, Nathanial Mission and more recently Surgery on Sunday are being supported. “These are outstanding examples of serving the medical needs of citizens who fall through the cracks in our health care system. Doctors and nurses volunteer at these organizations to provide care at no charge or minimal charge,” said Collins.
“We hope to continue to grow the golf outing and have it for many years,” said Collins.