This week, the Missouri Senate accomplished something that has eluded the body for nearly a decade. The Senate passed legislation to create a statewide prescription drug monitoring program in Missouri. Since the day I was sworn into office I have made it a personal mission to overcome Missouri’s dubious distinction of being the only state in the nation that did not monitor prescriptions of narcotics.
Together with several other legislators, I’ve worked for several weeks to arrive at a compromise that would allow a PDMP bill to come up for a vote in the Senate. Similar measures have passed the House of Representatives in years past, but they always got sidetracked in the Senate. I believe the longstanding objection to a statewide PDMP has been the creation of a government database of private, personal medical information. It took nearly eight hours of behind-the-scenes wrangling while the filibuster raged on the Senate floor to bring about a compromise, but we allayed those concerns and got the bill passed. Given the measure’s previous support in the House, I’m confident we’ll be able to send a PDMP to the governor this year.
Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer
The PDMP that passed the Senate this week does not rely on a government database. Instead, prescription dispensation information will be available to medical professionals through exchanges maintained by private vendors who are experienced in securely processing medical records. The information in the PDMP system will not be accessible by government officials and must be purged every three years. I believe these safeguards ensure that the system serves its intended purpose – helping medical professionals identify patients who are abusing opioid prescriptions, and guiding those individuals to the help they need.
I’m proud of the work we did on this bill. It truly is an example of legislation being improved through the negotiation process. As a sponsor, I can honestly say it is a better bill now than when we started. We reached a compromise that will provide medical professionals a tool they need to better serve patients and ensure public safety, while still addressing the privacy concerns of longtime opponents.
Also this week, the Senate unanimously passed my Senate Bill 676 and referred it to the House of Representatives. This legislation changes the timeline for property tax assessment appeals and ensures that taxpayers have sufficient opportunity to respond to increased assessments. Many residents of my district received assessment notices on a Saturday last summer. By law, appeals had to be filed by the following Monday. This impossible situation was partly due to a quirk in the calendar, but an inflexible law allowed it. My legislation changes the deadline for assessment notices to June 1, with appeals due by the first Monday in July. Property owners will always have at least 30 days to file an appeal.
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE
The coronavirus has not reached the Missouri State Capitol, but concern over COVID-19 has prompted precautions. The Senate’s leadership team has extended our annual legislative recess by one week to allow cleaning crews to disinfect the building and, we hope, provide time for the risk of the virus’ spread to subside. The Senate was already scheduled to take a week off, beginning March 23. That date has been moved forward one week and the Senate will now stand at recess until March 30.
Medical experts tell us that the greatest risk for spreading coronavirus comes when large groups of people gather in close contact. That describes the State Capitol perfectly. We see thousands of visitors each week, especially this time of year when advocacy groups rally in the Rotunda and school children flock to Jefferson City on field trips. Every day, a parade of people passes through my office, shaking hands and engaging in conversations. As one lawmaker said, we are a petri dish for disease. The decision to shut down the Capitol for an extra week was prudent and I hope all Missourians consider taking similar steps to avoid unnecessary contact until we get a handle on this dangerous virus. In the meantime, you can find more information about COVID-19 at the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services website at www.health.mo.gov. The department has also established a 24-hour coronavirus hotline at 877-435-8411.
It is my great honor to represent the citizens of Platte and Buchanan counties in the Missouri Senate. Please contact my office at (573) 751-2183, or visit www.senate.mo.gov/mem34.