Ralph Long's Legislative Agenda

I've been told that it's easy to take a shot at the legislation others propose and I was challenged to come up with what I would like to see made into law.

So here are the first two items on my legislative agenda.

First, that consumers should know which hospitals have the highest number of "hospital incurred infections". Pennsylvania has taken the first step.

From the Scientific American:

“WASHINGTON (Reuters) - More than 19,000 patients came down with an infection in 2005 in Pennsylvania hospitals, the state reported on Tuesday as it became the first in the United States to divulge infection data for individual hospitals.

Consumer advocates hailed the report on infections contracted by patients in the state's 168 hospitals by the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council, an independent state agency.”

Second, Kentucky could follow the Missouri lead on stem cell research. Chris Frost put the idea forth during his campaign for the state House. Chris lost but his opponent, Bill Farmer, who said he was for stem cell research could lead the charge on this issue.

"I have voted in favor of stem-cell research"..... Bill Farmer

Since Farmer is in the legislature for the 2007 session I'll give him the first crack at trying to pass this legislation.

Here's the short version of the Missouri amendment:

“This amendment will allow Missouri patients and researchers access to any method of stem cell research, therapies and cures permitted under federal law. It also will set limits on any stem cell research, therapies and cures, including banning human cloning or attempted cloning. Violators will be subject to criminal and civil penalties.”

Here’s a link to the Missouri Secretary of State’s site with the complete legislation.

Now all Bill Farmer needs to do is cut and paste.