SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

April 11, 2001 Hearing Room B

1:00 PM Tapes 83 - 87

MEMBERS PRESENT: Sen. Bill Fisher, Chair

Sen. Margaret Carter, Vice-Chair

Sen. Gary George

Sen. Frank Shields

Sen. Ken Messerle

STAFF PRESENT: Rick Berkobien, Administrator

Andrew Morris, Committee Assistant

MEASURES HEARD: SB 906 Public Hearing

SB 99 Public Hearing

These minutes are in compliance with Senate and House Rules. Only text enclosed in quotation marks reports a speaker’s exact words. For complete contents, please refer to the tapes.

TAPE/#	Speaker	Comments
TAPE 83, A
004	Chair Fisher	Calls meeting to order at 1:08 p.m. and opens a public hearing on SB 906.
SB 906 PUBLIC HEARING
006	Rick Berkobien	Administrator. Explains SB 906 to the committee.
022	Doug Riggs	Representing Metro. Testifies in support of SB 906.
032	Bill Atherton	Metro. Testifies in support of SB 906. Comments on a proposed amendment.
054	Scott Moss	Metro Staff. Testifies in support of SB 906. Explains Metro’s cost for health insurance coverage. Comments on the affects of the bill.
068	Sen. Messerle	Asks how the criteria are determined.
072	Riggs	Responds the criteria were derived through research.
089	Sen. Messerle	Comments on having a bond to build up financial reserves.
095	Moss	Explains the self-insurance regulations.
134	Ken Allen	AFSCME. Testifies in support of SB 906. Comments on healthcare costs.
150	Bruce Bishop	Kaiser Foundation. Testifies in opposition to SB 906 (EXHIBIT A). Comments on federal law. Explains why SB 906 should not be passed.
280	Bishop	Continues testimony.
320	Chair Fisher	Asks if Kaiser would be open to amendments.
327	Bishop	Relates Kaiser’s position.
355	Chair Fisher	Relates a possible amendment. Asks how many employees Metro has.
380	Moss	States that Metro has 650 employees. Relates Eugene’s self-insurance system.
TAPE 84, A
013	Chair Fisher	Closes the public hearing on SB 906 and opens a public hearing on SB 99
SB 99 PUBLIC HEARING
016	Berkobien	Explains SB 99 to the committee.
080	Rep. Cedric Hayden	HD 43, DMD. Testifies in support of SB 99. Provides personal background. Comments on preventive care. Relates the cost of dental care. Reviews physiology of fluoridation. States that fluoridation has helped to increase life expectancy.
181	Dr. H. Whitney Payne	Health Division. Testifies in support of SB 99 (EXHIBIT E). Relates figures that support fluoridation. Comments on the need for fluoridation. States the bill has the governor’s support.
234	Dr. Charles Wingard	DMD, President Oregon Dental Association. Presents testimony in support of SB 99 (EXHIBIT B). Relates studies that were done showing the positive effects of fluoridation. Comments on the cost/benefit ratio. States that Oregon ranks 45^th in fluoridation.
295	Dr. Noel Martin	DMD. Testifies in support of SB 99 (EXHIBIT C). Relates polls and study results. Presents video presentation. Comments on dental decay in children.
TAPE 83, B
000	Jeff Green	National Director, Citizens For Safe Drinking Water. Testifies in opposition to SB 99 (EXHIBIT D). Comments on the toxicology of fluoridation.
090	Chair Fisher	Asks about the toxicology danger.
095	Green	Responds by explaining the dangerous chemicals in fluoride. Comments on the sources of fluoride.
134	Dr. Hardy Limeback	University of Toronto. Testifies in opposition to SB 99 (EXHIBIT F). Comments on the cost of fluoridation. States that too much fluoride can cause dental disease.
190	Sen. George	Asks about the effects on newborns.
197	Limeback	Explains the effects on newborns.
208	Sen. George	Asks for health risks on newborns.
211	Limeback	Explains some possible risks for newborns.
230	Green	Adds comment to Limeback’s testimony.
240	Sen. George	Asks about the effect of the fluoride.
247	Green	Responds that fluoride raises lead levels in blood.
259	Limeback	Rebuts the information presented in the video.
278	Green	Lists groups that are opposed to SB 99.
290	Sen. George	Comments on increased aluminum levels in the brain due to fluoridation.
306	Green	Provides follow-up to Sen. George’s comments.
330	Sen. Kate Brown	SD 7. Testifies in support of SB 99 (EXHIBIT G). Relates a personal experience. States that fluoridation is not a radical concept. Lists groups that support fluoridation.
379	Chair Fisher	Asks about the fiscal impact for the city of Portland.
383	Sen. Brown	Gives cost figures.
413	Dr. Paul Engelking	M.D. Testifies in opposition to SB 99 (EXHIBIT H). Provides comments on fluoridation.
TAPE 84, B
010	Engelking	Continues testimony.
109	Sen. George	Asks if fluoride can be removed.
117	Engelking	Responds no. Continues testimony.
138	Dr. Eric Dover	M.D. Testifies in opposition to SB 99 (EXHIBIT I). Comments on the negative impact of fluoridation. Gives statistics from (EXHIBIT I).
310	Rep. Alan Bates	HD 52, Physician. Testifies on SB 99. Comments on scientific research. States that there have not been long term studies done on the effects of fluoridation.
356	Sen. Shields	Asks about USDA studies.
365	Rep. Bates	Responds he is unsure if studies have been done. Comments on toxicity in well water.
TAPE 85, A
002	Chair Fisher	Enters testimony into the record (EXHIBIT J).
003	Dr. James Lace	M.D. Oregon Medical Association. Testifies in support of SB 99 (EXHIBIT K). Comments on the benefits of fluoridation. Rebuts previous testimony.
059	Dr. Bill Schuyler	DMD, Pediatric Dentist. Reads testimony in support of SB 99 (EXHIBIT L).
101	Dr. Mike Shirtcliff	DMD. Reads testimony in support of SB 99 (EXHIBIT M).
185	Deborah Loyd	Reads testimony from Bob Dannenhoffer, M.D. in support of SB 99 (EXHIBIT N).
227	Tim Sherman	City of Salem, Water Division.
236	Sofia Hobet	City of Salem, Water Division.
240	Chair Fisher	Asks about the process of fluoridation.
247	Sherman	Explains the process of water fluoridation. States that it costs 40 cents per person for a year of fluoridation. States that fluoride is by-product of fertilizer. Explains water sampling for safety.
335	Sen. Shields	Asks if fluctuations are public record.
342	Sherman	Responds affirmatively.
371	Sandra Duffy	Citizens For Safe Drinking Water. Testifies in opposition to SB 99 (EXHIBIT O). Relates studies that have been done.
TAPE 86, A
000	Duffy	Continues testimony.
056	Travis Williams	Executive Director, Willamette Riverkeeper. Testifies in opposition to SB 99 (EXHIBIT P).
117	Dr. Ann Durant	Chiropractor. Testifies in opposition to SB 99 (EXHIBIT Q). Relates scientists who have concerns about fluoridation. Comments on fluoridation in European countries.
220	Chair Fisher	Comments on natural fluoride.
240	Durant	Comments on toxicity of natural fluoride.
320	Frank Gearhart	Citizens Interested In Bull Run, Inc. Testifies in opposition to SB 99 (EXHIBIT R). Comments on individual rights.
TAPE 85, B
000	Willie Tiffany	League of Oregon Cities. Testifies in opposition to SB 99 (EXHIBIT S). Comments on the fiscal impact.
023	Larry Rains	Medford Water Commission. Testifies in opposition to SB 99. Relates community reaction to fluoridation.
093	Sen. George	Relates personal opinion.
100	Tiffany	Comments on the state Drinking Water Act.
132	Miriam Green	Consumer. Testifies in opposition to SB 99 (EXHIBIT T). Comments on fluoride in the air.
242	Michael Framson	Oregon Citizens for Safe Drinking Water. Testifies in opposition to SB 99 (EXHIBIT U). Describes problems that have been linked to water fluoridation.
330	Framson	Continues testimony.
377	Chair Fisher	Asks if there are other causes of fluorosis.
392	Framson	Explains different types of fluorides.
TAPE 86, B
000	Dr. Gordon Empey	DMD. Oregon Primary Care. Testifies in support of SB 99 (EXHIBIT V). Comments on the rate of fluoridation in the US, which is about 70 percent.
029	Martin	Rebuts previous testimony.
076	Sen. George	Asks about cost savings with fluoridation.
087	Martin	Responds about 25 percent.
116	Jerry Larson	Volunteer, Northwest Medical Teams. Pediatric Dentist, DMD. Testifies in support of SB 99.
130	Sen. George	Asks about topical fluoride treatment is better than ingesting it.
138	Larson	Responds a combination of the two is the best use.
148	Chair Fisher	Enters testimony into the record (EXHIBIT W).
166	Alan Fletcher	OWVC. Testifies in opposition to SB 99. States the issue should be left up to local municipalities.
190	Sen. Shields	Asks about the proposed amendments.
195	Fletcher	Responds that amendments are in the works.
205	John Killin	Special Districts Association of Oregon. Testifies in opposition to SB 99 (EXHIBIT X). Comments on local water districts.
250	Rhett Lawrence	Oregon State Public Interest Research Group. Testifies in opposition to SB 99 (EXHIBIT Y). States that fluoride additives are not proven safe.
282	Mary O’Brien	Ecosystem Projects Director of Science and Environmental Health Network. Testifies in opposition to SB 99 (EXHIBIT Z). Relates research that states a possibility of problems related to fluoridation.
400	Susan Schneider	City of Portland. Testifies in opposition SB 99 (EXHIBIT AA).
TAPE 87, A
008	Sandra Bishop	EWEB Commissioner. Testifies in opposition to SB 99 (EXHIBIT BB). Comments on the medicinal qualities of fluoridation.
067	Lynn Campbell	Oregon Citizens for Safe Drinking Water. Testifies in opposition to SB 99. Comments on the toxic effects of fluoride. Provides personal opinion. States that studies need to be done before water is fluoridated.
127	Chair Fisher	Asks how Oregon compares to other states in diabetes related to fluoridation.
135	Campbell	Responds she is unsure.
145	Chair Fisher	Provides personal opinion.
170	Campbell	Clarifies testimony.
185	Chair Fisher	Enters letters into the record (EXHIBIT CC).
228	Chair Fisher	Closes the public hearing on SB 99 and adjourns the meeting at 5:08 p.m.

Submitted By, Reviewed By,

Andrew Morris, Rick Berkobien,

Committee Assistant Administrator

EXHIBIT SUMMARY

A – SB 906, Written testimony, Bruce Bishop, 4 pp.

B – SB 99, Written testimony, Charles Wingard, 7 pp.

C – SB 99, Written testimony, Noel Martin, 2 pp.

D – SB 99, Written testimony, Jeff Green, 62 pp.

E – SB 99, Written testimony, H. Whitney Payne, 69 pp.

F – SB 99, Written testimony, Hardy Limeback, 1 p.

G – SB 99, Written testimony, Sen. Kate Brown, 3 pp.

H – SB 99, Written testimony, Paul Engelking, 3 pp.

I – SB 99, Written testimony, Eric Dover, 30 pp.

J – SB 99, Letter, Sen. Bill Fisher, 1 p.

K – SB 99, Written testimony, James Lace, 1 p.

L – SB 99, Written testimony, Bill Schuyler, 1 p.

M - SB 99, Written testimony, Mike Shirtcliff, 2 pp.

N – SB 99, Letter, Deborah Loyd, 1 p.

O – SB 99, Written testimony, Sandra Duffy, 6 pp.

P – SB 99, Written testimony, Travis Williams, 3 pp.

Q – SB 99, Written testimony, Ann Durant, 7 pp.

R – SB 99, Written testimony, Frank Gearhart, 1 p.

S – SB 99, Written testimony, Willie Tiffany, 4 pp.

T – SB 99, Written testimony, Miriam Green, 6 pp.

U – SB 99, Written testimony, Michael Framson, 20 pp.

V – SB 99, Written testimony, Gordon Empey, 2 pp.

W – SB 99, Letters, Sen. Bill Fisher, 6 pp.

X – SB 99, Written testimony, John Killin, 1 p.

Y – SB 99, Written testimony, Rhett Lawrence, 1 p.

Z – SB 99, Written testimony, Mary O’Brien, 3 pp.

AA – SB 99, Information, Susan Schneider, 1 p.

BB – SB 99, Written testimony, Sandra Bishop, 1 p.

CC – SB 99, Letters, Sen. Bill Fisher, 18 pp.