Hello Friends and Neighbors,
On Saturday, March 3, we concluded another exciting
legislative session. On even-numbered years, the legislative session must
conclude within five weeks. We were determined to make this session about the
budget, technical fixes and wrap-up policy that was not quite ready by the end
of the 2017 session.
As chair of the Senate Healthcare Committee, I mainly was focused
on healthcare issues this session. My personal bill called for an expansion of
a successful OHSU program to assist mental health patients across the state.
The Oregon Psychiatric Access Line allows doctors across the state to call a
help line when they suspect a patient is in need of mental health assistance
beyond their training. This addresses one important piece of improving mental
health support in the state: access.
Most health care legislation were minor changes and
solutions to a year’s worth of work group discussions. My work on a child
safety bill dealing with sports concussions was successful. Diagnosing student
athletes with concussions, and returning students to play after treatment, must
be done by well-trained providers. This legislation expands the list of
qualified professionals and establishes an updated training, with best
practices.
Two other high-profile health care bills were HB 4005 (The Prescription
Drug Transparency Act) and HJR 203, which declared healthcare as a right in the
Oregon Constitution. I was proud to testify on behalf of both bills. The
Prescription Drug Transparency Act was a strong bipartisan piece of legislation
that will provide more information to consumers and require drug manufacturers
to justify their cost increases. I am told repeatedly by constituents that the
cost of prescription drugs continues to be one of the largest healthcare issues
they face. This bill will provide information on drug pricing that long has been
held a secret, and help us create and form policy to address the rising drug
costs head-on.
HJR 203, also known as the HOPE Amendment, would have
provide voters the chance to vote on making healthcare a right as part of the
Oregon Constitution. I was a proud Chief Sponsor and testified on its behalf in
committee. There were concerns about the language, as written, and not enough
time to work it out. Even without HJR 203, I and the majority of my colleagues
remain dedicated to ensuring health care and access to all Oregonians.
There were many successes in working to improve the lives of
East County residents and Oregonians across the state. Among those successes, I
count the environmental protections that will result from the Cleaner Air
Oregon Program, SB 1541. The bill sets an expiration date on allowing high-risk
levels of harmful emissions from facilities and invests funding in DEQ to control
toxic air emissions. It all will be paid for by those creating the pollution.
In public safety, we were able to close loopholes that now prevent domestic
abusers and convicted stalkers from owning guns. We also worked to expand the
definition of strangulation and created tougher consequences. We want to ensure
those who assault others through strangulation cannot get away with the crime
on technicalities.
We added two new tools to help pay down the PERS unfunded
actuarial liability. First, Senate Bill 1566 creates the Employer Incentive
Fund, which provides 25 cents on the dollar as a match for employers who
proactively put funds into a side account to address, fund or pay for their
retirement liabilities. The bill also creates the School Districts Unfunded
Liability Fund, which will be a pooled side account that will proportionately
distribute funds to all school districts. The fund is capitalized with one-time
funding, as well as ongoing surplus revenue from various sources.
I received numerous emails about HB 4155, regarding net
neutrality. It prohibits public entities from contracting with Internet
providers that do not subscribe to net neutrality practices. This means the Internet
service must have transparency in network management practices and full access
to all websites and equal traffic speeds.
Representative Piluso, Representative Gorsek and I will be having a town hall discussion to recap the legislative session further. It be held on April 14th at 10am in the Rockwood Public Safety Building, 675 NE 181st Ave, Portland, OR 97230.
I am already working
on legislation for the 2019 session. Please don’t hesitate to contact me. It’s important that I hear from you about your priorities. Your opinions are invaluable when it’s time for me to make decisions in the legislative process.
Warmest Regards,
Laurie Monnes Anderson State
Senator, District 25
email: Sen.LaurieMonnesAnderson@oregonlegislature.gov phone: 503-986-1725 address: 900 Court St NE, S-211, Salem, OR, 97301 website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/monnesanderson
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