TAPE/#

Speaker

Comments

TAPE 6, A

005

Chair Brown

Calls the meeting to order at 8:32 a.m. and opens the informational meeting 

OFFICE OF REGULATORY STREAMLINING OVERVIEW - INFORMATIONAL MEETING

010

Patrick Allen

Manager, Office of Regulatory Streamlining.  Submits written materials (EXHIBITS A-F).   Reads from testimony (EXHIBIT A).  Describes history and future of department. HB 3120 created advisory committee on regulatory streamlining. Refers to EXHIBIT B. Highlights agency streamlining projects, Business Climate Survey, and Online License Directory from the report.

110

Allen

Talks about convenience stores as one of the most regulated industries in Oregon and office wants to work with OLCC, Agriculture, and DEQ to streamline their permit process. Refers to EXHIBIT C. Asks five basic questions from testimony (EXHIBIT A). Refers to EXHIBIT D. Provides overview of the 34 bills and brief explanation.

193

Tom Gallagher

Legislative Advocates. Mentions that working on the committee has been most practical time he has spent working on government regulations. Explains that they did not change the outcome of regulations. Believes that there is a way to reduce government cost in the budget through consolidation. Explains that the regulated community pays a high price when preparing to present information and buildings for permits. Reiterates that savings can be made without changing policy outcome. Refers to HB 3120 and HB 2011 committee reports on page 4 (EXHIBIT E). Discusses current bill, HB 2188.

285

Gallagher

Mentions that when changing regulations legislature and agencies should consider the recommendations on page 4 (EXHIBIT E). Talks about danger of having multiple departments regulate a single entity. Discusses importance of reviewing arcane regulations. Explains that the legislature is the only entity who can streamline regulations.

401

Chair Brown

Addresses Allen and asks how many local governments regulate convenience stores.

406

Allen

Explains that in that particular area there is little local regulation if they are not trying to expand or build. Mentions that they are working with the League of Oregon Cities to create pilot projects where state and local governments identify regulatory processes and improve them.

427

Gallagher

Adds that local governments are very responsive to their communities and fixing the state pieces would be a tremendous help in streamlining. Mentions that on the City of Portland website they talk about regulatory streamlining.  

460

Rep. Schaufler

Notes that, when businesses have signs outside their buildings, the local government is very involved in regulating those signs.

503

Chair Brown

Asks if five of the bills mentioned are in this committee.

504

Allen

Confirms that there are five bills.

505

Gallagher

States that he is leaving the exhibit with the committee. (EXHIBIT F).

TAPE 7, A

NOTE:  TAPE 7, A IS A DUPLICATION OF TAPE 6, A.

TAPE 6, B

INSURANCE POOL GOVERNING BOARD OVERVIEW - INFORMATIONAL MEETING

011

Howard “Rocky” King

Administrator, Insurance Pool Governing Board and the Oregon Medical Insurance Pool. Refers to (EXHIBIT G). Discusses Oregon Medical Plan in the 1990s. Goes over uninsured statistics and shows how the economy affects rates of people who are uninsured. Explains that healthcare trends and the economy of the late 1990s and early 21st century have increased uninsured rate. Mentions that currently one in six Oregonians do not have health insurance. Talks about Oregon Medical Insurance Pool (OMIP) (EXHIBIT H). Legislature established OMIP in 1998. Explains that there are four plans and charges 120 percent of the regular market premium price. For every dollar collected OMIP spends about $1.60 in claims due to their high-risk, chronic conditions of those it insures. They have the ability to assess market shares of insurers to cover any losses OMIP incurs. 10,400 people in the high risk pool. Mentions people with no portability option came into the pool in 1996 and make up about 2,000 people in the OMIP pool. OMIP pool is 60 percent female with an average age of 50 and 62 percent earn under 35,000 dollars a year. Mentions that OMIP served 35,000 people in course of their existence.

160

King

Talks about the IPGB. Refers to page 8 (EXHIBIT I). Explains that the board makes policy concerning OMIP and reports to Cory Streisinger administratively. Refers to page nine. Mentions that they received over 2500 phone calls from people looking for assistance with health insurance or for information about health insurance last week. IPGB first offered certified plans that focus on low premiums and more catastrophic-oriented coverage. In 1993, with the expansion of Medicaid, began marketing that program. Mentions history of late 1990s. In 1998, board saw that people were getting coverage in the regular market and saw no reason for the certified plans. In 1999, the plans were phased out and stopped offering them in 2000. Talks about economic downturn and high insurance premiums. In 2001, the legislature decided to get into the insurance business.

267

King

State that House Bill 2537 from 2003 said that employers who had not had insurance since July 2003 or were a new business who were formed after July 2003 could purchase insurance. Explains that the board got an employer plan that was 30 percent less expensive than other plans by providing some significant cost sharing, excluding some benefits, and limiting payouts. Refers to EXHIBIT J. Lifetime maximum is 500,000 dollars, which is primarily what got rates down. Trying to bring in younger, healthy workers, because a large percentage of these workers are the ones who have exited the market. Talks about the ways the plan saves money. Refers to Children’s Group Plan (EXHIBIT J). Says that it is better than most and details how it is a good package.

342

Rep. Schaufler

Ask if drug benefits are only for life-threatening diseases or if they would cover women’s contraceptives or Viagra.

345

King

Explains that the drug plan does cover women’s contraceptives but not Viagra. The plans cover more than just lifesaving drugs in the generics and preferred names categories, but for the non-preferred the non-lifesaving drugs are not covered except for the children. Cost of the children’s plan is not cheaper, but the board can go to the employer with the alternative group plan and provide a lot of options. Explains that employers can cover just the children or the employee and just the spouse or just the employee.  

399

Rep. Kitts

Asks about the difference between a preferred and non-preferred drug.

405

King

Explains that he does not know exactly. Gives an example of medications that could be on the list and how drugs get on the list. Mentions that there is a lower co-pay for preferred drugs. Mentions Regency Blue Cross and Health Net Plan of Oregon have stepped forward to offer the plans. States that he has appreciated that these two have stepped up to encourage small businesses to enroll in health plans.

TAPE 7, B

017

King

Between January 25 and first week of March, they will start training in 23 cities for the new health plans. Refers to page 10. (EXHIBIT I) Begins talking about Family Health Insurance Assistance Plan (FHIAP). Explains that it fosters independence by having people pay part of the premium and creates choice. Creates confidentiality by allowing them to carry a private insurance card, not a Medicaid card. Stresses that FHIAP is budget driven not demand driven. Indicates that there is a reservation list when the program reaches budget capacity. Controversial part was that they wanted to cover people who were uninsured for six months. To get federal waiver had to cover these people. Indicates that 400,000 to 600,000 people are between 100 and 200 percent of the federal poverty level and 130,000 to 140,000 of them are uninsured. Program only has enough slots for 16,000 to 18,000 of these individuals. Mentions that in 1999 and 2001 Legislature directed the Department of Human Services to get a federal waiver and the waiver that the department got matches federal dollars with state dollars. Indicates that 26 million of state funds will be used in the upcoming Governor’s Budget and that the total budget is 81 million dollars. Refers to page 15 and explains eligibility requirements for FHIAP. (EXHIBIT I) Mentions that all eligible children must be covered. Explains differences of FHIAP in relation to Medicaid. 

128

King

Refers to page 16 (EXHIBIT I). Gives an example of a person who wants to enroll in the FHIAP.

140

Rep. Schaufler

Asks if all of the plans offer women contraceptives in the drug benefit plans.

145

King

Believes that they do but does not know every group plan. Talks about applying for a subsidy and how the employer determines the coverage and premiums. Explains how the employee is reimbursed for part of the premium covered by the subsidy for group plans. Refers to Small Employer Health Plan (EXHIBIT K). For the individual plan, they have a choice of all the plans under a thousand dollar deductible. Mentions that they do not subsidize dental insurance. The chosen insurance company then bills FHIAP for the premium and then they bill the employee for the individual market. Once the individual’s portion of the premium has been paid, FHIAP send the payment to the insurance company.

182

Rep. Schaufler

Asks if the budgets will be radically affected by the downturn in revenue and how many people will be affected by the cut.

187

King

Explains that, when they went to the federal government to get the waiver, an agreement was made that specified that the state had “a maintenance of effort”. This meant that the state had to spend the same amount per year in the program for a five year period of time. Have to expend $40 to $42 million of state funds to meet the requirements and if this is not done they may owe the federal government money. It is one of the only programs that it is being expanded to meet the federal maintenance of effort agreement. Mentions that they have about 8,400 enrolled in the program with another 2400 approved for subsidies. Indicates that they are hoping to add eight to ten thousand people in the rolls (EXHIBIT I).

240

Rep. Schaufler

Asks if adding people will help meet federal obligations

242

King

Says that it is imperative. Explains that any fund they do not expend this biennium, they would have to expend in the next biennium. Refers to page 23 and statistics at the top of the page. Says that it is difficult for people to afford insurance for their dependants in the group market. Refers to page 25 and discusses the cost of the program. Less expensive in the group market because of the employee contribution than in the individual market. Refers to page 26. Discusses statistics for the individual market. Refers to page 27. Mentions that each person has a co-pay and deductible, not just the premium. Notes that about 25 percent of people earn under the federal poverty level, usually because of family size. Offers to answer questions (EXHIBIT I).

325

Rep. Holvey

Commends King for his presentation. Asks if FHIAP is only able to serve 17 percent of those eligible.

330

King

Explains that FHIAP is really just a model and a test and that it has always had a dollar limit on it. Talks about how Measure 30 took apart the health plan and. Stresses that they are working as fast as they can to advertise the program. Mentions article in Oregonian on January 18.

388

Rep. Holvey

Laments about the cost of health insurance when people do not qualify for the FHIAP plan and expresses concern for the people who are still unable to afford healthcare.

TAPE 8, A

001

King

Says that Holvey is correct. In 1989 and 2000, the average premium was 120 to 130 dollar range and generally the employer covered the cost. Explains that the real problem is when the employer has to pay for dependants and that is why they developed the children’s plan, which can be paid through the FHIAP subsidy for low-income people.

014

Rep. Esquivel

Asks if plan covers diabetes.

020

King

Explain that in the certified plans, diabetes will be covered under the doctor and drug benefits. Assures the committee that diabetics are almost always served as is someone with cancer, heart disease, and MS.

035

Rep. Shields

Asks who the members of the IPGB are.

040

King

Explains that there is a bill coming that will abolish the board and make it into an advisory committee. States that the board members are Ellen Lowe, Gary Decamp, Ken McCartin, Steven Doty, and Dianna Pauley McCoy.

055

Rep. Shields

Asks if there is a document that was approved or given to the board that was used to determine who was eligible particularly for the alternative group plan.

060

King

Says that all the decision documents are on the website. (www.ipgb.state.or.us/) Says that he will get a packet to Rep. Shields.

067

Rep. Shields

Asks if there is a time limit when someone goes into the plan.

069

King

Explains that there is no time limit. Says that there is a sunset in 2008 if the legislature does not take action. Points out that they are targeting businesses with less than 5 employees. States that large employers usually transition out.  

090

Chair Brown

Opens public hearing on HB 2062.

HB 2062-PUBLIC HEARING

092

Howard “Rocky” King

Administrator, Insurance Pool Governing Board. Refers to testimony (EXHIBIT L). Says that, in discussions with stakeholders, there are two or three issues with bill that may need to be clarified through an amendment. Promises to bring those back to the committee. Reads from list about what the fourteen changes the bill makes (EXHIBIT M). Offers to answer questions.

189

Rep. Schaufler

Asks if there are drug benefits in all the plans if they will be covering women’s contraceptives.

196

King

Believes that the plans do.

197

Rep. Schaufler

Asks if all plans in Oregon cover women’s contraceptives.

198

King

Offers to return that information to the committee

200

Rep. Shields

Asks why rehabilitation for drug and alcohol addicts is not covered, because it does not seem as though it would cost that much more to add since people would be dissuaded by the 1000 dollar deductible and few would take advantage of it.

211

King

Explains that IPGB wanted a 30 percent reduction and cannot cover every benefit in the plans. Encourages employers to look at the general market for the plans for drug and alcohol addiction. Adds that plans are geared towards catastrophic and normal care coverage and adds that it is not for those with mental health needs or high prescription costs.

230

Rep. Shields

Asks if all employees have to be a part of the plan at a given business.

233

King

Responds that there is 100 percent participation for employees. The employee does not have a choice but emphasizes that it is for people who would otherwise have no insurance. Admits that it is not a plan that he wants as the standard plan for the state.

241

Rep. Schaufler

Asks if/when the bill becomes law, it will help us meet the federal obligation.

244

King

Explains that only if children are enrolled in the Children’s Group Plan and are able to use the FHIAP subsidy. The general alternative plan does not meet the requirements to subsidize it under FHIAP.

260

Chair Brown

Mentions the referral to Ways and Means. Closes public hearing on HB 2062. Opens public hearings on HB 2063 and HB 2064.

HB 2063 AND 2064-PUBLIC HEARING

270

Adkins

Explains HB 2063.

282

King

Summarizes HB 2063 and HB 2064 following list. (EXHIBIT O AND Q) Submits testimony (EXHIBIT N AND P).

350

Chair Brown

Asks if there will be any amendments on 2063 or 2064.

352

King

Answers that he does not anticipate any amendments.

353

Chair Brown

Asks that bills be brought back sometime next week. Closes public hearing on HB 2063 and HB 2064. Opens work session for the purpose of the introductions of committee bills.

INTRODUCTION OF COMMITTEE MEASURES - WORK SESSION

366

Chair Brown

Introduces committee bills. (EXHIBIT R, S, T, AND U, respectively)

372

Rep. Schaufler

MOTION:  Moves LC's:  237, LC 238, LC 239, LC 240 BE INTRODUCED as committee bills.

382

VOTE:  5-0-2

EXCUSED:  2 - Rep. Gilman and Rep. Kitts

Chair Brown

Hearing no objection, declares the motion CARRIED.

385

Chair Brown

Adjourn. 10:25 AM