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To contact me, please click here: Sen.DebPatterson@oregonlegislature.gov
Thank you to all who came to my recent town hall in Salem – it is thrilling to see so much engagement with issues related to governance here in Oregon. One question raised was about safety, staffing, and services at the Oregon State Hospital. I am pleased to note that David Baden has been named as the Interim Director there. I have worked with Mr. Baden since the beginning of the pandemic, where he was instrumental in moving forward the State’s response. I believe that the OSH is now in good hands.
Other issues raised included funding support for affordable housing, refugee services, and local non-profits like the Marion Polk Food Share, the Willamette Heritage Center, Liberty House, Helping Hands Resources, and the Elsinore. The local levy being proposed by Salem City Council was discussed, which would provide needed resources for the Salem Public Library, Center 50+ and the Salem City Parks.
Concerns were raised about how current actions by the current federal administration would most impact Oregon, and certainly there are concerns about funding for education, for Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and veterans’ services, along with publicly supported resources such as public radio, public television, Meals on Wheels, Head Start, national parks, the arts, and more.
Senate Joint Resolution 28 was discussed. This bill, of which I am a co-sponsor, would ask Oregon voters if they would like to add an amendment to the Oregon constitution about the right to a healthy environment.
Labor relations were also discussed, including wage theft and standards for training of entry level healthcare workers, among other bills. Housing continues to be a top issue, with support expressed for mixed housing, with affordable housing built in as part of housing developments. Several other questions were raised – thanks for the follow-up from some of you on those.
In my upcoming newsletter, I would like to share with you more of the bills I am working on which have moved out of Committee, and some of which have passed out of the Senate Chamber over to the House, but for today, I would just like to highlight SB 951, which passed out of the Senate with bi-partisan support (see photo below). This bill requires majority ownership (51%) of clinics to stay in the hands of physicians who are working at the practice, to keep clinical decision-making in the hands of doctors working with their own patients. This bill has now moved to the House, where it is chief sponsored by Majority Leader Ben Bowman, with bipartisan sponsorship there. My goal, shared with many in the Oregon legislature, is to keep quality healthcare accessible and affordable, and to retain and grow our healthcare workforce.
Gratefully,
Deb
P.S. Just a reminder that the White House Comment Line is also available, though with limited hours, should you wish to provide feedback there, as well. The number is 202-456-1111, and is open 11 am to 3 pm, Tuesday-Thursday (12 hours per week).
Statewide Community Budget Hearing
The Joint Committee on Ways and Means has been touring the state, hearing from Oregonians regarding the 2025-2027 budget. A statewide hearing will be held on Wednesday, April 16th, from 5:00pm-7:00pm at The Oregon State Capitol in Hearing Room F. The hearing will prioritize virtual testimony to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to testify on their budget priorities. If you are interested in testifying, please click here to sign up.
Help PDAB Determine Prescription Drug Affordability
The Oregon Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) is looking to hear from Oregonians about the 27 prescription drugs for affordability reviews.
PDAB is requesting information from individuals and organizations affected by the cost of prescription drugs that they have identified on its list for upcoming affordability reviews this summer. The list of prescription drugs under review are posted on their website or can be accessed here. Click here to access the survey. Surveys close April 30th.
PDAB is also inviting individuals to share your stories during the online board meeting happening on May 21st. You can sign up to speak by submitting the public comment form: https://dfr.oregon.gov/pdab/Pages/public-comment.aspx. See here to register for the meeting through zoom.
Legislation for Better Health Care and Lower Costs - SB 951
Oregonians want access to good and affordable healthcare, but when doctors' offices are bought out and run by for-profit investors, it gets worse for patients. Senate Bill 951 will keep medical professionals in charge of practices, closing the loophole that allowed huge corporations to list a physician as the owner without the physician actually being in control. Excellent care for patients should not be sacrificed for out of state investor profits. Investors and for-profit partners for administrative services can be great resources for practices, but they don't belong at the helm of a clinic.
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1710
Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, S-411, Salem, OR, 97301
Email: Sen.DebPatterson@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/patterson
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