Representative Deborah Boone E-Update

Greetings from Salem!

 Affordable quality health care coverage for all Oregonians continues to be a priority for me.  And Cover Oregon is now making health care coverage a reality for many Oregonians.  While signing up for coverage has not been as easy as originally planned, it should be noted that more than 100,000 Oregonians have signed up for health care through Cover Oregon by phoning, submitting a paper application, or working through an insurance agent.   If you live in Tillamook County, are seeking health care coverage, and need some assistance in signing up, there are local medical experts who want to help.

Health care providers in Tillamook County will be holding a Cover Oregon Application Fair at the Tillamook County Fairgrounds this weekend.   On Saturday and Sunday from 10-6 at the 4-H Dorm, the Rinehart Clinic, Tillamook Family Center and Tillamook Regional Medical center will be teaming up to offer a Cover Oregon Application Fair at the Fairgrounds.  They will be on hand to answer your questions and be able to provide plan advice if needed.   There will be one-on-one assistance help with signing up for health insurance coverage for 2014.

The Oregon Legislature recognizes that additional oversight may be needed to ensure that expensive information technology (IT) projects perform as expected.   On Monday, the House passed HB 4122, which will require an Independent Quality Assurance review for all public IT contracts that are over $5 million and other public IT contracts that meet specific requirements. In order to make sure the additional oversight leads to appropriate action, the bill also requires that the reports are sent to people who can review them promptly and then do something about any problems that are identified.  HB 4122 passed the House 40-18 and now moves to the Senate for consideration.

On Wednesday I was happy to host a legislative luncheon as part of the annual Oregon Capitol visit of the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER).  PNWER is made up of legislative leadership of the states of Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana and Oregon, and the western Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, and the Yukon Territory and manages the Pacific Northwest Center for Regional Disaster Resilience.   The mandate of PNWER is to enhance the economy of the region while maintaining the region’s natural environment. PNWER delegates were able to meet with Senate President Peter Courtney, and House Speaker Tina Kotek, and recruited Oregon lawmakers for the Legislative Energy Horizon Institute (LEHI).  I have been honored to serve an Oregon delegate to PNWER, and found the LEHI training through the University of Idaho to be invaluable for my work as Vice-Chair of the House Energy and Environment Committee.  

Things are progressing quickly during this short Legislative session, but I always try to visit with constituents who take time to travel to Salem.  If you have a concern or comment about a state agency, or pending legislation, you can write me at 900 Court St. NE Salem, OR 97301, phone 503 986-1432 or email rep.deborahboone@state.or.us, or when you’re in Salem, stop by my office H-375 in the Capitol.  It is my privilege to represent you in the House of Representatives, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Deborah Boone
State Representative District 32