TAPE/#

Speaker

Comments

TAPE 14, A

003

Chair Metsger

Calls the meeting to order at 1:07 p.m.  Opens public hearing on SB 117.

SB 117 – PUBLIC HEARING

014

Howard “Rocky” King

Administrator, Oregon Medical Insurance Pool, Department of Consumer Business and Services (DCBS).  Submits a packet of insurance related informational materials and written testimony in favor of SB 117 (EXHIBIT A).  Presents his testimony in favor of and explaining SB 117.

040

King

Continues his testimony in favor of SB 117.

080

Chair Metsger

Asks if the measure encompasses any General Fund.

085

King

States it does not.

087

Chair Metsger

Wonders if the legislation could encumber future General Funds.

090

King

Replies that he does not believe so.

092

Sen. Monnes Anderson

Points out that uninsured patients in hospitals are already a drain on the General Fund.

095

King

Offers costs are being incurred and people are not as healthy as they could be.

097

Chair Metsger

Notes that Mr. King is testifying on behalf of several parties. 

100

King

Replies in regards to the positions being taken on the bill.  Responds there are no objections that he knows of.

105

Sen. B. Starr

Asks if the people who would be eligible under this bill are also eligible for federal trade adjustment insurance. 

107

Tom Jovick

Manager, Oregon Medical Insurance Pool, DCBS.  Affirms Sen. B. Starr they are eligible for both.

110

Chair Metsger

Seeing no further testimony or question, closes the public hearing on SB 117.  Opens a work session on SB 117.

SB 117 – WORK SESSION

115

Sen. B. Starr

MOTION:  Moves SB 117 to the floor with a DO PASS recommendation.

VOTE:  3-0-2

EXCUSED:  2 - Atkinson, Deckert

117

Chair Metsger

Hearing no objection, declares the motion CARRIED.

SEN. MONNES ANDERSON will lead discussion on the floor.

120

Chair Metsger

Closes work session on SB 117.  Opens a public hearing on SB 122.

SB 122 – PUBLIC HEARING

125

King

Presents his written testimony in favor of SB 122 (EXHIBIT I).

165

Chair Metsger

Asks if there are questions from the committee members or further testimony.  Closes the public hearing on SB 122.  Opens a work session on SB 122.

SB 122 – WORK SESSION

168

Sen. B. Starr

MOTION:  Moves SB 122 to the floor with a DO PASS recommendation.

VOTE:  4-0-1

EXCUSED: 1 – Atkinson

172

Chair Metsger

Hearing no objection, declares the motion CARRIED.

SEN. METSGER will lead discussion on the floor.

175

Chair Metsger

Closes work session on SB 122.  Opens a public hearing on SB 123.

SB 123 – PUBLIC HEARING

180

King

Presents written testimony in favor of SB 123 (EXHIBIT J). 

225

King

Continues discussion of the various sections of the bill.

250

King

Discusses the board’s goals and need for flexibility.

275

Chair Metsger

Wonders about the reinstituting of benefits being performed by the board or the department.

280

King

States the board would establish the criteria which would then be implemented by the department.

285

Sen. B. Starr

Asks how many people have reached their net-lifetime benefit limit.

287

King

Replies it was three to five people.

290

Jovick

Offers that five people have reached the limit, three of which occurred in the last year.  Points out the costs of medical coverage have skyrocketed, so it is more likely to see people reach their insurance limits.

300

King

Notes how rare it is, based on the number of people provided coverage.  Describes that only in extreme conditions do individuals reach their insurance limits.

310

Sen. B. Starr

Inquires about the thought process behind the bill.  Wonders why they don’t bump up the benefit limit instead of giving the board extra discretion to decide.

315

King

Responds that portability benefits are established by plans approved by the commission.  Notes that coverage requirements change frequently and the board would be forced to make numerous changes to match.

345

Sen. Monnes Anderson

Asks how their fund operates and how they draw from it.

350

King

Explains how they spend and project costs based on enrollment. 

375

King

Outlines operation of their reserve fund and claim assessments.

400

Sen. B. Starr

Asks if the assessment cost is per month or annually.

405

King

Clarifies that it is paid per month.

410

Chair Metsger

Closes public hearing on SB 123.  Opens work session on SB 123.

SB 123 – WORK SESSION

415

Sen. B. Starr

MOTION:  Moves SB 123 to the floor with a DO PASS recommendation.

VOTE:  4-0-1

EXCUSED:  1 - Deckert

420

Chair Metsger

Hearing no objection, declares the motion CARRIED.

SEN. BRUCE STARR will lead discussion on the floor.

TAPE 15, A

003

Chair Metsger

Closes work session on SB 123.  Opens public hearing on SB 130.

SB 130 – PUBLIC HEARING

015

King

Presents written testimony in favor of SB 130 (EXHIBIT K).

040

Chair Metsger

Clarifies they are talking about -1 amendments (EXHIBIT B) to SB 130.  Notes the amendments essentially replace SB 130 as written.  Observes the intent of the bill is to offer more ways for people to obtain coverage.

045

King

Asserts that he is testifying in support of SB 130 with the -1 amendments.  Responds that Sen. Metsger is correct, and adds that they hope to make it easier to get coverage.

053

Sen. Monnes Anderson

Relays the frustration experienced by patients trying to get into insurance programs.

060

King

Replies this will help alleviate those problems

063

Chair Metsger

Closes public hearing on SB 130.  Opens work session on SB 130.

SB 130 – WORK SESSION

065

Chair Metsger

Reiterates the purpose of the -1 amendments.

070

Sen. B. Starr

MOTION:  Moves to ADOPT SB 130-1 amendments dated 1/31/05.

VOTE:  4-0-1

EXCUSED:  1 - Deckert

075

Chair Metsger

Hearing no objection, declares the motion CARRIED.

077

Sen. B. Starr

MOTION:  Moves SB 130A to the floor with a DO PASS AS AMENDED recommendation.

VOTE:  4-0-1

EXCUSED:  1 - Deckert

080

Chair Metsger

Hearing no objection, declares the motion CARRIED.

SEN. ATKINSON will lead discussion on the floor.

083

Chair Metsger

Closes work session on SB 130.  Opens a work session for introduction of committee measures.

INTRODUCTION OF COMMITTEE MEASURES – WORK SESSION

085

Chair Metsger

Points out that the introduction of these bills does not indicate support for the measure.  Asks Theresa Van Winkle to provide an overview of the drafts being introduced.

087

Theresa Van Winkle

Committee Administrator.  Provides an explanation of LCs 253, 255, 256, 1700, 2001, 2002 (EXHIBITS C, D, E, F, G, & H).

105

Chair Metsger

MOTION:  Moves LC's:  253, 255, 256, 1700, 2001, 2002 BE INTRODUCED as committee bills.

VOTE:  4-0-1

EXCUSED:  1 - Deckert

107

Chair Metsger

Hearing no objection, declares the motion CARRIED.

110

Chair Metsger

Closes work session and adjourns the committee at 1:44 p.m.