Chris Gray

Oregon House Approves Buehler’s Bill Expanding Contraceptive Access

Rep. Knute Buehler, R-Bend, championed a bill late in the 2015 session to allow women to get birth control directly from a pharmacy without a doctor’s prescription. HB 2527 expands the types of birth control available through this route to include self-administered injectable contraceptives.

Apr 28, 2017

For-Profit CCOs Muscle Greenlick’s Reform Bill Away from House Floor

The legislation was sent back to the Rules Committee, making its future less certain. House Speaker Tina Kotek believes she has a workable compromise that will appease the Coalition for a Healthy Oregon while still demanding that CCOs open up their board meetings to the public.

Apr 26, 2017

Oregon House Votes to Enact 10-Year Ban on Natural Gas Fracking

Only limited fracking has ever been conducted in Oregon, but Democrats argue that current regulations on potential hydraulic fracturing are insufficient, and could set up the state for problems experienced in Pennsylvania and Oklahoma. Passing the Senate could be a challenge, however.

Apr 26, 2017

Senate Passes Bill Aimed at Expanding Rural Health Access through For-Profit Clinics

Rep. Mitch Greenlick quashed a very similar bill two years ago because it would have opened the door for non-physicians to run for-profit medical clinics, which he does not believe are as good for patients as nonprofit clinics.

Apr 21, 2017

Single-Payer Activists Come to Salem, Tout Universal Care Study

Researchers from the Rand Corporation showcased the results of a $300,000 study Oregon funded two years ago. It examined different methods of improving the healthcare financing system in the state.

Apr 21, 2017

Senate Environment Committee Guts Bill to Eliminate Old Diesel Engines

Pressure from industry groups left the Environment Committee with a bill that will do little more than hand out money from the Volkswagen settlement to replace old engines. Sen. Dembrow wanted a tougher bill that would require off-road equipment to register as cars and trucks do, and phase-out the use of outdated diesel engines that poison the air.

Apr 19, 2017

Greenlick’s Bill to Reform CCOs, Mandate Public Meetings Moves out of Committee

The House Health Committee chairman has tried for four years to subject the state’s Medicaid-backed coordinated care organizations to public meetings law. HB 2122 will do that, as well as ensure reserves are spent on health-related expenses and investments, and will require any new CCOs to be non-profit.

Apr 19, 2017

Nosse Prescription Drug Price-Setting Bill Survives Filing Deadline

A more thorough fiscal analysis of HB 2387 will be conducted in the Committee on Ways & Means. The amended version sets up an account for drug manufactures to issue rebates for excessively priced drugs, which will be used to repay health insurers.

Apr 19, 2017

Oregon House Approves Account to Phase Out Dirty Wood Stoves

The account will open with no dollars attached -- awaiting passage of another bill with funding from the state or private sources.

Apr 13, 2017

Legislators Work to Pass Mental Healthcare Bill of Rights for Deaf Community

Deaf individuals and their supporters report a tremendous dearth of mental health services for people who use sign language, leaving this group of people exceedingly isolated. HB 3415 would task the Oregon Health Authority with coordinating services and making sure the state has enough mental health providers who can communicate with the deaf.

Apr 13, 2017