Posts Tagged ‘Senator Laurie Monnes Anderson’

HB 3631 protects victims from discrimination by insurers

Victims of sexual assault can be assured their experiences won’t prevent them from getting health care with legislation passed this evening in the Oregon Senate. HB 3631 prohibits insurers from discriminating against victims of sexual violence by treating that victimization, or physical or mental injuries sustained as a result of that victimization, as a preexisting condition that would exclude or limit coverage.

“Approximately one in six Oregon women will experience sexual assault in her lifetime. This bill corrects an injustice that adds insult to injury when victims of sexual assault and domestic violence are at risk of losing their health care coverage,” said Senator Diane Rosenbaum (D-Portland), who co-chairs the Oregon Women’s Health and Wellness Alliance. Read the rest of this entry »

SB 1003 modifies requirements for association health care plans

Legislation that gives small businesses and their employees increased access to affordable health insurance passed off the Senate floor this morning. Senate Bill 1003 is a key piece of the Senate Democrats’ February agenda of supporting small business and helping Oregon families get back on track.

“Health care costs are simply too high for many small businesses,” said Senator Laurie Monnes Anderson (D-Gresham), chief sponsor of the bill and chair of the Senate Health Care Committee. “This bill will give more middle class Oregonians access to health care provided by their employers.”

Senate Bill 1003 modifies provisions in association health plans, which are used by many general contractors and other small businesses to offer health care to their workers. Read the rest of this entry »

SB 701 creates loan repayment program to help address Oregon’s number one workforce need

With the state’s demand for nurses showing no signs of slowing down, the Senate took action this afternoon to create a program that will help attract and keep qualified nurse faculty in Oregon schools. Since 2001, enrollment in nursing programs has doubled while the increase in faculty has risen less than 20 percent. Senate Bill 701 creates the Nursing Faculty Loan Repayment Program to help recruit nursing teachers into Oregon’s understaffed nursing programs.

“Each year, more and more nursing instructors are retiring while more and more students want to enroll in nursing programs,” said Senator Richard Devlin (D-Tualatin), chief sponsor of the legislation. “Nursing is the number one workforce need in our state. We need to make sure we can provide the education system to meet the demand.”

Currently, Oregon schools of nursing turn away applications at an alarming rate – while at the same time demand for nurses continues to grow. The Nursing Faculty Loan Repayment Program will provide loan repayments on behalf of nurse educators who teach at nursing schools in Oregon and who have earned a master’s or doctoral degree from an accredited nursing education program. SB 701 allows the state to pursue Federal funds to support the program.

“This program will help our state recruit and keep high quality instructors, many of whom can make more money in the private sector as they can teaching the next generation of nurses,” said Deputy Senate Majority Leader Laurie Monnes Anderson (D-Gresham), a public health nurse. “Giving nursing instructors some relief on their Master’s or Doctoral degree loans will give our state a real advantage in staffing Oregon’s nursing schools.”

The bill will now go to the House for consideration.

SB 628 outlines process to help prevent foreclosures

With Oregon foreclosure rates soaring, the Senate voted today to pass an assistance package that aims at helping Oregonians who are at risk of losing their homes. SB 628 establishes a process to bring lenders and borrowers together to review the viability of a modified loan with a goal of preventing foreclosures.

“This legislation creates the opportunity for homeowners to have a conversation with their lender about modifying their loans,” said Senator Suzanne Bonamici (D-NW Portland/Washington Co.), chief sponsor of the bill. “Many times when borrowers fall behind on their mortgage payments they don’t know who to call, and when they do, they find that there isn’t anyone on the other end of the line to help them navigate this complicated system.”

SB 628 requires that any Notice of Default sent to Oregon homeowners outline the following:

• Information about the possibility of loan modification;
• A “Modification Request Form (Form);” and
• Contact information for referral to a Housing Counselor.

Read the rest of this entry »

Two bills address standards of care in foster home or residential facilities

SALEM – Two bills that address foster care for Oregon children and vulnerable adults passed in the Senate this afternoon. House Bill 3114 addresses issues of overmedication of kids in the foster care system. House Bill 2442 standardizes investigations of misconduct and abuse and increase penalties for long-term care facilities where abuse occurs.

“All session long we’ve been dedicated to looking out for the most vulnerable Oregonians in our state,” said Deputy Senate Majority Leader Laurie Monnes Anderson (D-Gresham). “Our track record has been strong and, as we close out this session, these are good bills that will help people in significant ways.”

HB 3114 requires the Department of Human Services to develop procedures for children in foster care to receive an assessment from a mental health professional before being prescribed multiple psychotropic or antipsychotic medications. The legislation was prompted by reports in 2007 of overly medicated foster children whose health was being compromised by fragmentation in the medical and behavioral health systems.

“We have a special obligation to make sure that we are looking out for the well being of the children in our state’s foster care system,” said Senator Alan Bates (D-Ashland), who carried the bill on the floor. “If these kids require multiple medications, there needs to be oversight of how the drugs interact and the effect they have on the quality of life of a child.” Read the rest of this entry »

One will create comprehensive benefits website; another creates service officer program on Oregon’s college campuses

SALEM –Veterans scored two more wins this afternoon as the Senate passed a pair of House bills that will help Oregon’s returning service members access and identify services and benefits. House Bill 2178 will assist veterans enrolled at Oregon’s public colleges and universities take advantage of the GI Bill by creating the Campus Veterans’ Service Officer Program in the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. House Bill 3104 requires the Department to establish a website that allows veterans to enter contact information and request information about benefits and services.

“Oftentimes an absence of information can create a major barrier to a veteran who wants to access services,” said Senator Martha Schrader (D-Canby). “It’s not enough to just provide services. We need to make sure our men and women in uniform know that what is out there and how to apply.”

Both bills were inspired by the report of the Governor’s Task Force on Veterans’ Services completed in December 2008. HB 2178, creating the Campus Veterans’ Service Officer Program, is in response to the underutilization of the GI Bill on many Oregon campuses. The Task Force found that approximately 5,800 Oregon veterans were receiving educational benefits available under the Post 9/11 GI Bill – only a small percentage of those eligible.

“This legislation will help increase the number of Oregon veterans who take advantage of their GI Bill benefits and are able to participate in post-secondary education,” said Senator Rod Monroe (D-Portland), who carried the bill on the floor. “This is a major benefit for our veterans, our local communities, and the diversity of Oregon campuses.”

HB 3104 was prompted by Task Force findings that substantial amounts of federal aid are consistently underutilized because of a systemic failure of state, regional, and local public agencies to inquire about a person’s veteran status. In Oregon, only 22 percent of veterans are identified though the U.S. Census by the state’s system, resulting in approximately $4 billion in lost revenue to the state from federal reimbursements.

“We’re doing a disservice to our veterans and our communities by not identifying the federal resources that should be flowing into Oregon,” said Deputy Senate Majority Leader Laurie Monnes Anderson (D-Gresham). “Something as simple as establishing a website will help Oregon veterans take advantage of these missed opportunities.”

Both bills will now go to the Governor’s desk for his approval.

HJR 7 will bring state in line with national program for home-ownership

SALEM – The senate backed a resolution to be referred to Oregon voters this afternoon that aligns the ORVET home loan program with the federal Veterans’ Affairs program. House Joint Resolution 7 removes the term “war” in the Oregon Constitution to broaden the eligible pool of veterans to include Oregon National Guard and Reserve members.

“Many of our veterans can use a helping hand after serving time overseas,” said Senator Martha Schrader (D-Canby). “The ORVET program is a great resource for our men and women in uniform that helps them realize home ownership. It should be available to every service person who sacrifices for our country.”

Currently, the Constitution allows only war veterans who were honorably discharged, have been out of service for 30 years, and who served a minimum 210 consecutive days of active duty to participate in the ORVET home loan program. HRJ 7 also eliminates the 30 year time limit on eligibility, making ORVET a lifetime benefit. The resolution is a companion bill to House Bill 3470, which clarifies the definition of “veteran” in Oregon statute. That bill has already passed both chambers. Read the rest of this entry »

House Bill 2009 and House Bill 2116 will reform health care delivery and fund coverage for more Oregonians using $2 billion in Federal matching dollars

SALEM – Following through on a commitment to dramatically increase access to health care for children and the most vulnerable in Oregon while controlling costs for all, the Senate Democrats passed both HB 2116 and HB 2009 this afternoon. Together, the two bills will cover 95% of Oregon’s uninsured children and extend coverage to an additional 35,000 low-income adults while instituting a reformed model of health care delivery for Oregonians.

“This may be the most important piece of legislation that we pass out of this building this session. This is a good deal for Oregon, especially Oregon’s uninsured children – the vast majority of whom will now be able to visit a doctor and get the services they need,” said Senator Alan Bates (D-Ashland), who co-carried both bills on the floor. “The prohibitive costs of health care are a major burden for many parents, some of whom are only one hospital visit away from bankruptcy.”

HB 2009 replaces the current fragmented health care delivery system with a coordinated, streamlined approach, the Oregon Health Policy Board. This Board will oversee all health care functions, the implementation of expanded coverage, and institute reforms to contain skyrocketing costs. Reform measures include facilitating the adoption of electronic health records that will position that state to compete for millions of dollars Federal stimulus funding.

“Cost containment is a crucial piece of this package. Inefficiencies create high costs that affect everyone, from the business owner who wants to provide health insurance to the person who avoids preventative care because of the prohibitive costs of visiting a doctor,” said Senator Laurie Monnes Anderson (D-Gresham), chair of the Senate Committee on Health Care.

The funding for expanding coverage for kids and low-income Oregonians will come from HB 2116. The funding plan has two components: an increased hospital tax and a 1 percent tax on the commercial insurance premiums collected by health plans and insurers. The hospital tax will fund the addition of approximately 35,000 adults to the Oregon Health Plan in the 2009-2011 biennium. In the 2011-2013 biennium that number will grow to 60,000. The insurers’ tax will fund medical coverage for 80,000 additional children by the end of the 2009-2011 biennium. The new state funds will allow Oregon to draw down nearly $2 billion in federal funds for reimbursements to Medicaid providers, which will also increase under the funding plan.

“This legislation is proof of what we can accomplish by working collaboratively with our partners inside and outside the building,” said Senator Betsy Johnson (D-Scappoose), who participated in the work group that negotiated the arrangement with hospitals and insurers. “With this bill we will be doing something that will fundamentally improve the quality of life for thousands of Oregon’s children and most vulnerable while simultaneously lowering costs for everyone.” Read the rest of this entry »

HB 2794 requires insurers to cover costs for females 11 – 26 years old

SALEM – The Senate voted this morning to support House Bill 2794, a bill that requires insurance coverage for the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for females between 11 and 26 years of age. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States, with approximately 20 million people currently infected, and is the main cause of cervical cancer in women.

“This bill is intended to expand coverage for this preventative and possibly life saving vaccine,” said Senator Diane Rosenbaum (D-Portland), who carried the bill on the floor as the chief Senate sponsor. “Currently, most insurance companies already cover the cost of this vaccine, yet with this bill, we can ensure that all companies will continue this practice and ensure that any new companies coming to Oregon will remain consistent with this standard of coverage.”

In 2006 the US Food and Drug Administration approved for females aged 9 to 26 a vaccine effective against the HPV types that cause the majority of cervical cancers. The HPV vaccine is between 95-100% effective against these types of HPV. Routine immunization of young women against HPV should prevent approximately 70% of cervical cancers.

“This is preventative care for our daughters and granddaughters,” said Deputy Majority Leader Laurie Monnes Anderson (D-Gresham). “We have a moral obligation to future generations of women to make sure they have the coverage they need to prevent disease and lead healthy lives.”

In Oregon, there are approximately 111 new cases of cervical cancer and 41 deaths per year. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2008, 11,070 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer in the U.S., of whom approximately 3,600 will die.

House Bill 2794 is a key piece of the Oregon Women’s Health and Wellness Alliance’s 2009 legislative agenda and was sponsored in the House by Representative Carolyn Tomei (D-Milwaukie). The bill now goes to the House for concurrence.

HB 3022 allows physicians to prescribe antibiotics to partners

SALEM – Legislation that makes it easier to stop the spread of sexually transmitted diseases passed off the Senate floor this morning. HB 3022 allows physicians who diagnose patients with gonorrhea or Chlamydia to prescribe antibiotic treatment for the patient and the patient’s partners without an examination of said partners.

“Expedited partner therapy is proven to be an effective measure to help people treat STDs,” said Senator Diane Rosenbaum (D-Portland), who carried the bill on the floor. “The easier we make it for people with these diseases to get treatment and prevent future cases, the better.”

Participating physicians will be required to provide informational materials about sexually transmitted diseases provided by the Department of Human Services as well as specific dosage information for the patient and each partner for whom medication is prescribed.

“Evidence shows that providing prescriptions for partners increases partner notification and treatment, thereby reducing re-infection rates,” said Senator Laurie Monnes Anderson (D-Gresham). “If these infections are left untreated they can lead to severe health consequences – even infertility.”

Sexually transmitted diseases are the most common communicable diseases reported in Oregon, representing as much as two-thirds of all reported conditions. Studies sponsored by the Center for Disease Control found that expedited partner therapy programs such as the one established in HB 3022 can significantly reduce the rate of infection and re-infection and increases the likelihood of partner notification and completed partner treatment.

HB 3022 was an agenda item of the Oregon Women’s Health and Wellness Alliance. The bill will now go to the Governor’s desk for approval.