House gives doctors more control over prescriptions
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House gives doctors more control over prescriptions

Date: March 31, 2009
By: Brian Jarvis
State Capitol Bureau
Links: HCS HB 95, the roll-call vote.

Intro: Missouri lawmakers sent a clear message Tuesday on prescription drugs: It's time to give control back to doctors.   

Brian Jarvis in Jefferson City has more. 

RunTime:0:41
OutCue: SOC

Missouri House members voted Tuesday to give physicians more power to override health insurance providers when deciding what treatments and medications to give patients.  

Joplin Republican House Representative Bryan Stevenson.  

 

Actuality:  STEVEN2.WAV
Run Time: 00:16
Description: "While there will be a small increase in pharmaceutical costs, it will eliminate additional, unneccesary doctor visits, additional, unnecessary exams by physicians, and hospital stays as a result of bad reactions to improper medication."


Stevenson said the bill will also ensure that patients pay only the retail cost of their prescription if it's less than the cost of their insurance copay.

From Jefferson City, I'm Brian Jarvis.


Intro: Missouri lawmakers voted Tuesday to give doctors more say-so over prescription drugs, but not everyone is enthused.

Brian Jarvis in Jefferson City has more. 

RunTime:0:39
OutCue: SOC

It's a familiar theme: Let physicians, not health insurance companies, decide what medicines and treatments their patients need.

But some lawmakers believe a bill that gives doctors direct control over prescriptions is going too far -- and will cost too much.    

Joplin Republican Representative Bryan Stevenson.

 

Actuality:  STEVEN3.WAV
Run Time: 00:13
Description: "They're being told that my bill eliminates transparency when in fact it provides additional transparency. They're being told it will dramatically skyrocket costs when that in fact is not the case."


Stevenson said the bill will result in fewer doctor visits and hospital stays.  

From Jefferson City, I'm Brian Jarvis.