Rep. Rehder champions prescription-drug database bill; considers running for House speaker

State Rep. Holly Rehder, R-Sikeston, has been championing the need for a statewide database to track addictive prescription drugs for five years. With the Missouri House on the verge of passing her prescription-drug monitoring bill, Rehder hopes to finally see the legislation become law.

But the final outcome appears to rest with the Missouri Senate, where Sen. Rob Schaaf, R-St. Joseph, has repeatedly objected to such legislation because of medical privacy concerns. In the past, he has filibustered the legislation.

Rehder said the Senate leadership "has been very helpful" in moving ahead with the bill. Legislation mirroring her bill was filed in the Senate earlier in the 2017 session than in past years. It is further along on the Senate calendar, she said.

Rehder added Gov. Eric Greitens also has voiced support for the bill.

Missouri is the only state that has not implemented a prescription-drug monitoring program. Rehder said.

A dozen Missouri counties have authorized their own prescription-drug monitoring programs, including Stoddard County, she said.

More than half of Missouri's population resides in the prescription-drug-monitoring counties, she added.

"We are going to have this program," she insisted, adding it will happen county by county if lawmakers don't act.

The House amended Rehder's bill last week to require all those dispensing prescription opiates to report the data in real time by 2020. Initially, the data would have to be reported within 24 hours, she said.

Rehder said the legislation is needed to help prevent opiate addicts from doctor shopping for the drugs.

But she added the main benefit of the bill is to provide physicians with a tool to identify those patients that are addicted to opioids and better treat those patients to break the addiction.

"They could help these patients," Rehder said.

The Sikeston Republican said doctors have told her they want the state to enact a prescription-drug monitoring program.

Without such a database, Rehder said doctors in emergency rooms and clinics may be unaware of a patient's prescription history.

"They could be giving them a medication that is lethal," she said.

House speaker?

As the second half of the legislative session proceeds, Rehder said she is considering running for House speaker.

"I am exploring it right now," she said.

If she were to become House speaker, Rehder would be only the second woman to hold the powerful post.

Catherine Hanaway served as House speaker from 2002 to 2004.

According to Rehder, two other House members -- one from the Springfield area and another from the St. Louis area -- also have expressed interest in seeking the leadership post.

Rehder said she believes her experience as a businesswoman "would be very beneficial" in leading the House.

Rehder said she will make a decision about her candidacy by the end of this legislative session in May.

House members will elect a speaker during this September's veto session, according to Rehder. The new speaker would head up the House in 2019 and 2020, she said.

mbliss@semissourian.com

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