PUBLIC HEARING

HB 3087, 2785

TAPES 99-100 A

002

Acting Chair Berger

Calls meeting to order at 1:05 p.m.

OPENS PUBLIC HEARING FOR HOUSE BILL 3087

010

Lizbeth Martin-Mahar

Gives overview of HB 3087 (Exhibit 1). The bill creates a tax credit for volunteer health professionals. There will be three clinics (yet to be determined) designated by the Dept. of Human Services (DHS) that will serve as pilot sites for the tax credits. Existing community clinics will be able to apply to DHS for eligibility to extend the tax credits to their volunteer health professionals.

054

Rep. Riley

Asks about any sunset date on this bill.

056

Martin-Mahar

Responds that the sunset date is 01/01/08, affecting tax years 2005-2007.

068

Rep. Dennis Richardson

Testifies in support of HB 3087.  Discusses amendment HB 3087-1 restricting the bill to specialist physicians at $125 per hour (Exhibit 2). Submits handout explaining the goals of HB 3087 (Exhibit 3). The goal is to support federally-funded community clinics and used Virginia’s volunteer program as a model.

117

Rep. Galizio

Asks if the tax credit goes to the health professional or to the clinic.

119

Rep. Richardson

Responds that the credit goes to the health professional. If a specialist doctor will volunteer a minimum of seven hours, the doctor can claim $125 per hour contributed for a tax credit.

129

Rep. Riley

Asks if Rep. Richardson feels that this incentive will be enough to have the specialists work in the clinics.

134

Rep. Richardson

Responds that the people working in community clinics are very grateful for any assistance, especially for the ability to make referrals to specialist physicians.

143

Rep. Komp

Asks if there are community-based clinics in all parts of the state.

145

Rep. Richardson

The three pilot clinics will represent the western, eastern and southern regions of the state.

153

Rep. Boquist

Asks about eastern Oregon locations and the availability of specialists.

160

Rep. Richardson

While the specific sites have not been chosen, he is confident that eastern Oregon will be well represented.

172

Doug Riggs

Testifies in support of HB 3087. Submits written testimony (Exhibit 4). Comments that there is a shortage of specialist physician volunteers resulting in additional case loads and high turnover of other volunteers. Suggests that the $125 hourly rate stated in the bill be increased, and the definition of “certified health clinic” as stated in the bill should be clarified.

254

Rep. Boquist

Asks about using this credit to recruit specialists in rural areas.

269

Riggs

Responds that specialists are distributed throughout the state. The amendment would allow referrals to specialists outside the designated clinic. In very rural areas there would be some commuting by the patient.

288

Rep. Boquist

Asks about supplementing salaries of specialists already on staff.

290

Riggs

Responds that the credit would not be used for salary supplements, but rather to attract community specialists who would not normally volunteer in a community clinic.

299

Rep. Galizio

Asks if there would be restrictions on the type of treatment given at the designated clinics.

301

Riggs

Responds that federal requirements are followed, and there are not many restrictions on the type of health care provided.

311

Rep. Komp

Asks about dental coverage, especially referrals to oral surgeons.

314

Riggs

Responds that dental care is a new benefit. In cases where dental or mental health care is not available in a community clinic, the clinic contracts with a local practitioner. Discusses impact of budgetary cuts to Oregon Health Plan dental program.

340

Joy Soares

Testifies in support of HB 3087 because it will benefit all “safety-net” clinics. Submits written testimony discussing safety-net clinics (Exhibit 5). Discusses testimony submitted by Peg Crowley (Exhibit 6).

001

Scott Gallant

Testifies in support of HB 3087 because the concept of the bill is a positive one. The tax credit, especially for rural physicians, will help recruit and retain them.

TAPE 100, SIDE A

023

Acting Chair Berger

Asks how the compensation program would work.

041

Gallant

Responds that physicians recognize they would not be fully compensated for their costs for voluntary work. Comments that under the Oregon Health Plan (OHP), physicians are the second-lowest compensated group. Suggests a tracking system to measure performance of the program.

065

Acting Chair Berger

Asks about number of specialists who volunteer now.

067

Gallant

Responds that in a survey by OMA, approximately 4-5% of all physicians volunteer their services.

075

Rep. Riley

Asks for more information about Gallant’s suggestion to track results.

087

Gallant

Responds that with only three pilot sites, it should be relatively easy to monitor results and develop comparative data.

CLOSES PUBLIC HEARING FOR HOUSE BILL 3087

OPENS PUBLIC HEARING FOR HOUSE BILL 2785

094

Martin-Mahar

Gives overview of HB 2785 (Exhibit 7). This bill would allow a specific deduction for certified emergency medical technicians (EMT’s) to cover their out-of-pocket expenses they must incur to perform their medical duties. Discusses a possible amendment to clarify taxable expenses that are normally deductible for federal taxation.

148

Dave Lapof

Testifies in support of HB 2785 because it will help recruit and retain volunteers. Comments that there are currently 8200 certified volunteers for emergency services and trauma centers.

181

Scott Ekblad

Testifies in support of HB 2785. Submits written testimony (Exhibit 8). This bill would encourage volunteers for rural emergency services. Discusses challenges of volunteer recruitment and retention. If volunteers would be able to subtract the costs of training from their income taxes, it would go a long way in retaining volunteers.

259

Rep. Boquist

Asks for an estimate of expenses incurred by EMT’s.

261

Lapof

Responds that basic training for an EMT at a community college is approximately $485 plus books and fees. For miscellaneous equipment, annual expenses would be $200-$300. For paramedic training, it would be approximately $10,000.

283

Rep. Boquist

Requests more information from Lapof regarding specific costs incurred by the volunteers.

301

Acting Chair Berger

Clarifies that the bill is for all EMT personnel, not necessarily just for rural EMT’s.

315

Martin-Mahar

Asks for clarification of training costs.

335

Lapof

Responds that training costs would be deductible for already-certified EMT’s. Lapof will provide more specific financial information to the committee.

CLOSES PUBLIC HEARING FOR HOUSE BILL 2785

366

Acting Chair Berger

Adjourns meeting at 1:57 p.m.

Tape Log Submitted by:

Reviewed by:

Kristi Bowman, Committee Assistant

Kim Taylor James, Committee Coordinator