OREGON RURAL HEALTH COALITION
LEGISLATIVE REPORT
WEEK THREE
February 23, 2008
I will be reporting on the legislative action on
bills I am tracking each week while they are in
session. If you have any legislative questions
I can be reached on my cell phone at
503.989.1914 or e-mail at
orhc@wbcable.net.
HB 3614 The
bill establishes a 12- month period of
enrollment in Medicaid for kids and
appropriates one million dollars to the
Department of Human Services to fund a grant
program. The section of the bill extending
children’s Medicaid coverage was not adopted.
However, the section of the bill prescribing
grants was added to HB 3626 on the last day of
the Special Session. (See below)
HJR 100
A proposed Oregon Constitution amendment
“finding that access to health care is a
fundamental right.” It passed the House on a
straight party line vote 31 to 29. However,
the bill never received a hearing in the Senate
and died upon adjournment.
SB 1060
Provides tax credits to health care providers
who participate in TRICARE medical system.
Passed both the Senate and House unanimously.
SB 1062-A Eliminates
the drug formulary requirement that limits what
may be prescribed by certain Nurse Practitioners
and Clinical Nurse Specialists. The Oregon
State Board of Nursing may grant the nurse
specialists the privilege of writing
prescriptions including prescriptions for
controlled substances. Passed both the Senate
and House.
SB 1065-A
Would speed up payment for treatment of
Medicaid patients by Certified Rural Health
Clinics. Died in the Ways the Ways & Means
Committee upon adjournment.
HB 3626-A
Section 21 of this ten page bill
“establishes a grant program to improve access
to and the effectiveness of health care delivery
for families.” The Department of Human Services
is directed to award two grants. One of the
grants will be awarded for a project that serves
a predominantly rural area. Details of this
program are spelled out in the bill and will be
available on the ORHA web site. Undoubtedly,
the department will be adopting administrative
rules implement this program before beginning
the site selection process. I expect the
details will be made available in the near
future. Link to HB 3626-A
|
