Bart Stupak: “Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation. Five years ago, Congress passed the National All Schedules…”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation. Five years ago, Congress passed the National All Schedules Prescription Electronic Reporting Act, or NASPER, into law, making it the only statutory authorized program to assist States in combating prescription drug abuse of controlled substances through prescription drug monitoring programs. Congress realized that more needed to be done to aid States to set up or improve symptoms that enable authorities to identify prescription drug abusers as well as the problem doctors who betray the high ethical standards of their profession by over or incorrectly prescribing prescription drugs. Today, I'm honored to again work with my colleagues, Mr. Whitfield, Mr. Pallone, Mr. Shimkus, to reauthorize this important public health program. Minor but important changes have been made to the program, including allowing the use of grants to help States maintain their existing programs. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this legislation.”