Legislation would make “doctor shopping” a crime
(Long Island, NY) Assemblyman Michael Montesano (R,I,C-Glen Head) is sponsoring legislation to make it a crime to “doctor shop” in order to fraudulently obtain prescription medications. Assembly bill 1863 is a companion to last year’s I-STOP legislation, which created a real-time database to monitor prescription drugs to prevent their abuse. Montesano’s bill would aid law enforcement and doctors by monitoring “doctor shopping,” where an individual will visit multiple doctors in order to obtain a prescription
Prescription-drug abuse has long been an issue of importance on Long Island and Montesano has worked diligently since entering the Assembly to stem the tide of this social epidemic.
“During my time in the Assembly, I have heard from countless residents on the need to curb prescription-drug abuse and have worked regularly to address this issue,” said Montesano. “Through the legislation I am sponsoring this year to end doctor shopping, we can make greater strides toward halting the abuse of prescription drugs, strengthening our health care system and make our communities safer for our families.
“I am pleased to be sponsoring this legislation in conjunction with Senator Marcellino and I urge my colleagues in the Legislature to take action and pass this bill.”
