sen. jeff kruse

Sen. Kruse Quits the Senate in Sexual Harassment Scandal

Finally bowing to months of public pressure, the longtime health policy leader resigned his state Senate seat, effective March 15, after four female lawmakers, along with female lobbyists and staff members, accused him of unwanted touching.

Feb 9, 2018

House May Roll Back Bill Expanding Drug Monitoring Program

Rep. Mitch Greenlick opposes allowing the Board of Pharmacy to add drugs to the tracking system that are not controlled by the DEA, aligning his concerns with the American Civil Liberties Union.

May 9, 2013

Conference Committee Wants Under-18 Ban for Tanning Beds

May 8, 2013 -- A day after the Food and Drug Administration proposed new warning labels about the risk of cancer from tanning beds, the Oregon Legislature moved closer to banning commercial tanning salons from serving customers younger than 18.

May 8, 2013

Senate Votes to Set Tanning Ban Age Limit at 17

April 22, 2013 — The Senate voted 17-11 on Monday to pass a less restrictive version of a teenage tanning salon ban than the one that passed the House overwhelmingly, prohibiting the practice for children under 17 without a doctor’s note.

Apr 23, 2013

Private Insurers May Be Forced to Keep Coverage for Inmates

April 17, 2013 — Jails and prisons are required by law to provide necessary healthcare to anyone in custody — the Supreme Court has said anything else would be inhumane. But the minute someone is arrested or jailed, the federal government stops providing healthcare coverage, and many private insurers follow suit.

Apr 17, 2013

State May Bring Back Rural Loan Repayment Program with $4 Million

A similar program recruited 79 healthcare providers to rural Oregon between 1993 and 2008, but was cut in 2009. The new bill could attract as many as 96 providers to underserved parts of the state

Feb 12, 2013

Malpractice Legislation Nearly Ready to See Daylight

November 15, 2012 -- After months of negotiations between trial lawyers and physicians, legislators are optimistic about reaching a consensus on medical malpractice reform when they gather in Salem next month. All along the goal has been to find a way of reducing lawsuits while creating a safer patient environment.

Nov 15, 2012

Physicians Able to Bypass Insurers Under New Law

April 25, 2012 -- In the nearly three decades as a primary care physician, Steven Butdorf has taken care of people without health insurance who’ve earned too much to qualify for government assistance. Now that the Insurance Division has issued new rules for retainer practices, Butdorf can bypass insurance companies and offer discounts to his patients. Those rules came about following passage of Senate Bill 86 in the 2011 Legislature.

Apr 25, 2012

Dental Care Organizations Express Concern About Transformation

Because dental organizations aren't required to participate in the coordinated care model until 2014, some feel left out of the discussions

Feb 1, 2012