Here’s what Governor Steve Beshear just had to say about testifying before the U.S. Congress this morning:

“This morning I testified at a Congressional hearing on the epidemic of prescription drug abuse that has hit Kentucky hard, despite our successful prescription drug monitoring program. A large part of our current problem is the illegal prescription drug pipeline from Florida, which does not have such a monitoring system. In October 2009, during the state’s largest drug bust, Kentucky law enforcement officials arrested more than 500 people in connection with diverting prescription drugs, all of whom had a Florida connection. Therefore, I have been urging Florida Governor Rick Scott, both in personal conversation and by letter, to implement such a system in Florida. Others, including Kentucky Congressman Hal Rogers and Lt. Governor Daniel Mongiardo, have been doing the same. Although Gov. Scott was initially against such a system because of privacy concerns, I am excited to announce that this morning Gov. Scott advised me privately and at the hearing that he was moving ahead with the implementation of a prescription drug monitoring system. This is great news for Kentucky and could save thousands of lives.”

Glad to see Beshear speaking out but it’s a bit disappointing he didn’t take Mongiardo along with him/that he wasn’t invited/whatever.

UPDATE — Here’s a statement from Lieutenant Governor Daniel Mongiardo:

“I was thrilled Governor Steve Beshear had a chance to speak before lawmakers in Washington, D.C. today about the ever- increasing prescription drug problem facing our Commonwealth. I was even more excited to hear that Florida Governor Rick Scott, after weeks of persuasion, has agreed to implement a prescription drug monitoring system in that state.

For too long the illegal prescription drug pipeline from Florida to Kentucky has been taking its toll on our people. Governor Scott’s decision to allow Florida to implement a prescription drug monitoring system is a key component in getting a handle on this problem and hopefully shutting down those clinics that are nothing more than pill dispensaries of death.”