Department of Health: PDMP remains operational though integration grant has expired; department seeking grants and settlement funds

Department of Health officials told the Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee that the state's prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) remains operational but that a one-time grant funding an integration between the PDMP and some electronic health-record systems has expired.

"The prescription drug monitoring program is still there. It's still working. There's still a website. Nothing has changed there," said Matt Gilmore of the Department of Health, adding that the expired grant paid for connections between the PDMP and some providers' electronic health records and that those integrations are no longer funded. Gilmore said providers can still access the PDMP website without a fee but will lose automated access through their electronic-record systems if integration was previously provided by the grant.

Committee members asked whether the department had evaluated the efficiency gains from integration and whether opioid settlement funds could be used to restore integration. Gilmore said larger and some smaller entities used the integration and that it was more efficient, but long-term statewide funding to support integration for every provider is not currently available. Secretary of Health Renee Mallory and Gilmore said the department is exploring federal grants and opioid settlement dollars as possible funding sources but had only just begun conversations.

Members emphasized the state has settlement funds under the attorney general's control and funds allocated to cities and counties, and urged DOH to pursue those avenues. The department said it would look into available sources; no specific funding commitments, amounts or timelines were provided.

Committee members encouraged continued pursuit of funding to expand integration and reduce the administrative burden on prescribers who were previously able to use an integrated workflow.