TAPE/#

Speaker

Comments

TAPE 66, A

004

Chair Morrisette

Calls the meeting to order at 3:11 p.m.  Opens an informational meeting on the update on the Governor’s Oregon Pioneer Prescription Drug Project.

UPDATE ON THE GOVERNOR’S OREGON PIONEER PRESCRIPTION DRUG PROJECT – INFORMATIONAL MEETING

017

Bruce Goldberg

Administrator, Office of Oregon Health Policy and Research.  Submits and presents an informational sheet regarding the sale of prescription drugs in Canada (EXHIBIT A).

075

Chair Morrisette

Asks about evidence based findings published from the Oregon Health and Science University and if the United States would follow guidelines.

080

Goldberg

Responds that only the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approved drugs would be imported.

087

Erinn Kelley-Siel

Advisor, Governor’s Health and Human Services.  Submits a letter by Gov. Theodore Kulongoski to Tommy Thompson, Secretary of Health and Human Services, United States Department of Health and Human Services (EXHIBIT B) and a chart comparing prescription drug prices between the United States and Canada (EXHIBIT C).

150

Chair Morrisette

Asks Goldberg to clarify that prescription drugs would be transported from the warehouses in Canada to warehouses in Oregon.

154

Goldberg

Responds.

160

Chair Morrisette

States his understanding of importing drugs. Asks if medications would be imported directly from Canada to an Oregon pharmacy.

169

Goldberg

Explains the procedure.

177

Kelley-Siel

Discusses her visit to a pharmacy warehouse in Wilsonville, Oregon.

185

Berkobien

Asks if a mail order process could be implemented.

192

Goldberg

Answers question.

202

Chair Morrisette

Verifies that it would be up to each pharmacy to participate in that program.

208

Goldberg

Affirms.

211

Chair Morrisette

Closes the informational meeting on the update on the Governor’s Oregon Pioneer Prescription Drug Project.  Opens a public hearing on SB 1026.

SB 1026 – PUBLIC HEARING

215

Rick Berkobien

Committee Administrator.  Explains the bill.

225

Sen. Charles Starr

Senate District 13.  Submits and presents written testimony of Bill Hansell, Umatilla County Commissioner, in support of SB 1026 (EXHIBIT D).  Testifies in support of SB 1026.

303

Chair Morrisette

Comments on testimony heard during the 2003 legislative session.

325

Irv Fletcher

Citizen, Woodburn, Oregon.  Testifies in support of SB 1026.

350

Courtni Dresser

American Cancer Society.  Submits and presents written testimony in support of SB 1026 (EXHIBIT E).

400

Dresser

Continues to testify in support of SB 1026.

415

Chair Morrisette

Refers to EXHIBIT E, paragraph three (3), sentence three (3).  Asks Dresser to clarify the time period used for the data.

420

Dresser

Answers, annual.  Elaborates on data.

TAPE 67, A

006

Chair Morrisette

Asks Dresser to verify data between the number of deaths of prostate cancer versus breast cancer.

008

Dresser

Answers question.

015

Chair Morrisette

Verifies data.

016

Dresser

Re-clarifies data. 

020

Chair Morrisette

Asks if there is data for those who survive prostate cancer.

024

Dresser

Responds.

025

Chair Morrisette

Comments on data regarding death rates and those diagnosed with prostate and breast cancer.

030

Sen. C. Starr

States appreciation to Dresser for mentioning a former State Senator.

040

John Powell

Regence BlueCross BlueShield - Oregon.  Testifies without a stated position to SB 1026.

050

Chair Morrisette

Clarifies that Regence BlueCross BlueShield covers the prostate exam.

053

Powell

Answer, yes.  Remarks that most insurance companies should cover the exam as well.

054

Chair Morrisette

Asks if SB 1026 is necessary if the exam is current practice.

058

Powell

Responds.

060

Chair Morrisette

Asks Powell if SB 1026 would have would have an impact on Regence BlueCross BlueShield.

062

Powell

Responds, no.

064

Elise Brown

America’s Health Insurance Plans.  Testifies without a stated position to SB 1026. States that the exam is part of current procedure with most health plans.

070

Powell

Comments on the prostate-specific antigen test (PSA). Refers to line sixteen (16) of SB 1026. Comments on the intent of the language.

090

Sen. C. Starr

Asks Powell to explain lines thirteen (13), fourteen (14) and fifteen (15) of SB 1026 related to other insurance companies.

100

Powell

Responds.

120

Sen. Kruse

Asks Powell what an antigen test is.

123

Powell

Answers that it is the same as a PSA.

124

Sen. Kruse

Asks if the PSA is a blood test.

125

Powell

Affirms.

126

Sen. Kruse

Comments that the language in SB 1026 may be too specific.  Questions the need to broaden the language to allow for changing technology.

136

Powell

Responds to Sen. Kruse’s comment.

144

Sen. Kruse

Discusses the evolution of medical technology. 

153

Powell

Comments on how insurance mandates and new technology.

180

Sen. Kruse

Comments on diagnostic testing and the intent of the bill.  Asks Dresser to comment on evolving technology with insurance mandates.

190

Dresser

Remarks on the use of new technology.  Comments that there would be enough time to amend the statute when needed.

210

Sen. Kruse

Comments on the removal of the sunset provision.

216

Dresser

States that the American Cancer Society will monitor the progress.

The following material is submitted for the record without public testimony:

Luther Fitch

Citizen, Hermiston, Oregon.  Submits written testimony in support of SB 1026 (EXHIBIT F).

222

Chair Morrisette

States that SB 1026 will be carried over to allow for an amendment to delete the sunset provision.  Comments on Powell’s concerns.  Closes the public hearing on SB 1026 and adjourns the meeting at 3:58 p.m.