Sheila Jackson Lee: “I rise today because this is an interesting and important bit of legislation as relates to physicians under the Energy…”

“I rise today because this is an interesting and important bit of legislation as relates to physicians under the Energy and Commerce and HHS. It's important because it helps to track or determine who might be an addict, and as well to engage the medical profession in helping to end or to stem the tide of prescription drug abuse. Interestingly enough, in this legislation there are privacy provisions, which I want to applaud and to say to all those who may be listening, this is a lifeline to stop the prescription drug abuse through legitimate medical resources and professionals, and as well for those who are legitimately ill, prescription drugs are prescribed and they find themselves addicted. When I left Texas in the last 24 hours, interestingly there was another effort going forward, Mr. Pallone, that had to do with our Drug Enforcement Agency, where about 10 or so sites were being set up to encourage people to give back old or aged drugs in their drug cabinets, if you will, or in their prescription cabinets, or in their medical cabinets at home.”