Datamining bill on the bubble tonight

• Published March 06, 2008

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The tick-tock of the clock makes the list of things that haven’t passed increasingly clear tonight.

The toxic toys bill, as in limiting lead in toys, is on that list. HB 1103, dealing with disciplining medical professionals, stalled at this point last year, but it passed tonight – as the fourth substitute.

And the bill to ban the use of doctor’s prescription records to sell new drugs is also hanging in the balance. The datamining bill, as it is known, is waiting for a vote in the House.

Rep. Jamie Pedersen, who sponsored the house version of SB 6241, said he still holds out hope of a vote tonight. To him, taking up the bill would prove the Democratic caucus’ willingness to challenge drug companies.

“If we can’t take on something that so obviously is not improving the quality of health care and is so obviously increasing the costs of health care…. It leaves me discouraged,” he said.

But with drug companies lined up in opposition to the bill and a coalition of unions, doctors and hospitals on the other, the battle seems darn near a stalemate. And of course a stalemate in this game goes to the opponents.

Even if the bill passes, the drug and drug-information companies have made it quite clear they would challenge it in court. IMS, company that collects prescription records, sent us an email today:

UPDATE: The datamining bill seems to be very much in doubt, as the House is planning to move on two controversial bills after returning from a 7 p.m. dinner. Those will eat up time, and wear down the interest in taking on another controversial bill this evening, pushing things closer to the 5 p.m. deadline Friday. Furthermore, the bill could come down to three votes or less, according to one lobbyist -- and Reps. Hans Dunshee and Bill Eickmeyer are not in town. Looks like we'll have to tune in later.