Prescription Drug Legislation Faces Opposition

Attached an article from the Palm Beach Post regarding the prescription drug legislation. I hope that our organization speaks up in FAVOR of the legislation and AGAINST the request to torpedo this bill.
This legislation is the first step towards curbing the narcotic abuse.
The argument that " the sensitive personal and medical information contained in such a database would be susceptible to cyber terrorists and criminals who would use information against the citizens of Florida," is ludicrous!
Does that mean we will also stop using ATMs and Internet banking because our data could be misused by cyber terrorists or criminals?
When do politicians learn that fear-based politics is leading us nowhere?
We need to save lives and stop those drug-dealers in a white coat who claim to be doctors! They are not! They are drug dealers and they know it!
Please visit South Florida to understand the enormity of the problems. The number of pain clinics skyrocketed almost 100 % since last year! The nations TOP 30 narcotic drug prescriber's practice in Dade and Broward county! Hard to believe but its true. Doctors can be drug dealers, too!!
Yours
Bernd

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Drug database access worries some in Florida House

By MICHAEL C. BENDER

Palm Beach Post Capital Bureau

Thursday, May 07, 2009

TALLAHASSEE — Thirteen state House Republicans sent a letter to Gov. Charlie Crist on Thursday, asking him to veto a bill one of their fellow GOP leaders sponsored.

Ten of the 13 lawmakers voted against the bill to create a prescription drug database in Florida. Three of the Republicans - Adam Hasner of Boca Raton, Anitere Flores of Miami and Dean Cannon of Winter Park - did not vote on the original bill.

The bill, sponsored by House budget co-chairman Marcelo Llorente, R-Miami, is aimed at curbing drug abuse. It was approved unanimously in the Senate and on a 113-10 vote in the House.

But a similar database was recently hacked in Virginia, according to TheWashington Post. House Republicans cited that story in their letter to Crist.

"This request is based on a well founded fear that the sensitive personal and medical information contained in such a database would be susceptible to cyber terrorists and criminals who would use information against the citizens of Florida," according to the letter.

Crist's press office did not comment.

Llorente said the bill (SB 462) creates a task force that will "ensure the protection of personal information."

"The tragic deaths of almost 10 Floridians a day must stop," Llorente said. "I urge the governor to sign this bill expeditiously in an effort to end the practice of doctor shopping."

In addition to Hasner, other local Republican lawmakers signing the letter were Reps. Ellyn Bogdanoff of Fort Lauderdale and Carl Domino of Jupiter.