SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH POLICY

March 25, 2003 Hearing Room B

1:00 pm Tapes 41-42

MEMBERS PRESENT: Sen. Bill Morrisette, Chair

Sen. Bill Fisher, Vice-Chair

Sen. John Minnis

Sen. Frank Shields

Sen. Charles Starr

Sen. Vicki Walker

STAFF PRESENT: Marjorie Taylor, Administrator

Saranelle Allen, Committee Assistant

MEASURE/ISSUES HEARD: SB 785 – Public Hearing

SB 789 – 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 41, A
008	Chair Morrisette	Convenes meeting at 1:11 p.m. and opens a public hearing on SB 785.
SB 785 – PUBLIC HEARING
012	Marjorie Taylor	Explains bill. Submits for the record a letter from Leonard Hagen, Regence Blue Cross in opposition (EXHIBIT D).
	Sen. Vicki Walker	Testifies in support of SB 785 (EXHIBIT A). Advises that she is a co-chair on the Women’s Health and Wellness Alliance and the bill comes through this group. Reviews her written testimony and the two proposed amendments SB 785-1, and -2. States that the main point is in the -1 amendment, and explains information on the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA) adopted in 1999 in Oregon.
167	Sen. Walker	Explains the minor difference in amendments is in having the patient and doctor decide on the method of treatment instead of an insurance person.
	Rep. Diane Rosenbaum	District 42. Submits written testimony as to membership of the Oregon Women’s Health and Wellness Alliance and further reviews written testimony from Amy Hanlon, breast cancer survivor (EXHIBIT B). Testifies in favor of the bill.
288	Chair Morrisette	Asks if the provisions are similar to the California law.
	Sen. Walker	States it was patterned after WHCRA but tightened up to be more fitting for Oregon.
300	Marcia Kelley	Women’s Rights Coalition. Submits written testimony in support of SB 785 (Exhibit C).
	Sen. Fisher	Asks question on wording in the amendment having to do with ‘completely’ symmetrical.
388	Kelley	Gives reply on her understanding of the phrase.
	Sen. Walker	Advises that she had previously agreed to take out the word ‘completely’ because it is subjective. Advises there are 36 states that have laws concerning breast cancer reconstruction.
404	Sen. Minnis	Asks questions on the intent of this bill, since we already have a Federal law.
	Sen. Walker	Reviews the intent on the amendments.
	Peggy Anet	Health Insurance Association of America. Expresses concern between the State and the Federal laws and how it could be confusing to the enrollee.
Tape 42, A
030	Barney Speight	Kaiser Permanente. Testifies in support of SB 785, and recommends inserting some additional wording into the -1 amendment.
	Sen. Minnis	Asks if Speight supports the bill, specifically SB 785-1.
066	Speight	States he would prefer the -1 amendment.
	Sen. Minnis	Asks several questions on the requirement for tattooing in breast reconstruction.
089	Sen. Walker	Offers to check into answers for Sen. Minnis.
	Chair Morrisette	Closes public hearing on SB 785, and opens a public hearing on SB 789.
SB 789 – PUBLIC HEARING
	Marjorie Taylor	Administrator. Explains SB 789.
150	Sen. Shields	Submits written support on the intent of this bill (EXHIBIT E).
345		Advises that this bill is more a charitable choice bill and explains the original concept of what a faith-based bill would do. Advises that a new bill is in process and will be the final one to be heard.
Tape 41, B
008	Ramona Rodamaker	Executive Policy Advisor, Department of Human Services. Submits written testimony to assist in implementing this pilot program (EXHIBIT F).
	Chair Morrisette	Asks if there was any fiscal impact known as yet.
074	Sen. Starr	Asks if she knows about an initiative in Washington County called Visions West, which has to do with an initiative on faith-based and community organization efforts. Suggests it would be appropriate to have Don Boone, the Executive Director, come down to testify when the bill is ready for hearing and action.
	Sen. Shields	States yes, Don Boone will be invited to testify.
120	Sen. Minnis	Explains the success that occurs when different groups become acquainted with opposing groups, i.e. government, churches, leaders, etc.
	Rodamaker	Concurs on the benefits of trying to work together with half-way houses, and outreach programs.
160	Marcia Kelley	Women’s Rights Coalition. States concerns on the bill, and feels the training aspect could contain a fiscal impact. Feels the interaction in faith-based education would be beneficial. Suggests a pilot program be tried in a moderate-sized community and not a large one, or a very small community.
204	Andrea Meyer	Legislative Director – ACLU.
	Sen. Minnis	Asks if Andrea could put together some information on cases, legal opinions and state laws on Article 1.
210	Meyer	Will see what law is written on a Federal level and work with Sen. Minnis to get documents he is requesting.
	Sen. Shields	States a letter had been sent out last session to get research from Oregon Law Commission.
388	Sen. Fisher	Asks if there was any money involved on this bill and wouldn’t suggest the government be involved in any money handling.
	Sen. Shields	Responds that the bill says the state handles the money, and the faith-based organizations handle the intangible items.
440	Sen. Starr	States that there are already programs in place that involve money, and they are not part of this proposed bill.
	Chair Morrisette	Closes public hearing on SB 789 and adjourns meeting at 2:33 p.m.

EXHIBIT SUMMARY

A – SB 785, written testimony, -1 proposed amendments, Sen. Vicki Walker, 11 pp.

B – SB 785, written testimony, Rep. Diane Rosenbaum, 3 pp.

C – SB 785, written testimony, Marcia Kelley, 2 pp.

D – SB 785, written testimony submitted Leonard Hagen, 1 p.

E – SB 789, written testimony, Sen. Frank Shields, 8 pp.

F – SB 789, written testimony, Ramona Rodamaker, 2 p.