This legislative session has been a swirl of activity. Between testifying on bills, spending long hours studying the budget with colleagues and sitting in Ways and Means committee hearings, I am looking forward to spending time in North Portland for our in-district day this Friday, March 25th.
Small Businesses
Senator Chip Shields' office has taken the lead on hosting a reception for N/NE Portland's small businesses from 3-5pm this Friday that Rep. Lew Frederick and I will be attending. We will be there to hear concerns and share our legislative efforts in helping small businesses in the district. Light hors d'oeuvres will be provided, self-pay bar. All are welcome.
I hope to see you this Friday, March 25th at the Leisure Public House - 8002 N. Lombard Ave- from 3 to 5pm!
Patient Safety & Payment Reform
Three of my health care bills had hearings yesterday in the House Committee on Health Care. I am interested to hear what you think about these ideas.
Patient Safety- HB 2271 requires that hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers use evidence-based surgical checklist and prohibits hospitals from charging for "never events." "Never events" are preventable events that are so egregious that they should never happen, but if they do, no patient or a patient's insurance plan should have to pay for them. You can browse through a list of "never events" here.
Payment Reform- HB 3559 requires a standardized way of figuring out how much inpatient and outpatient care costs. The bill would make hospital costs more transparent, an important step in controlling health care costs. The idea for this bill came from the Health Incentives and Outcomes Committee of the Oregon Health Policy Board, a stakeholders group that did extensive work over the interim.
The committee heard testimony for and against each of these bills, and now my office will try to get work sessions scheduled so we can continue to move them through the process. If you have any experiences you want to share related to the issues addressed by these bills, please let my office know!
In the News
Thanks to those of you who are following me on Facebook! I am working on more issues than I have detailed in this newsletter and often just have time to share what the media is saying about them on my Facebook page.
Here are two stories I wouldn't want you to miss:
* The Statesman-Journal shared how HB 2800, the Farm to School bill I am working on with Rep. Brian Clem (Salem) brings together kids, healthy foods and local farmers.
* OPB covered SB 778, my bill to combat predatory refund anticipation loans and checks, highlighting a North Portland resident who wants the sale of these products to stop.
As the session moves forward, I look forward to hearing your comments on these and other priorities - so please keep in touch!