Rep. Mitch Greenlick

February 22, 2012 -- A bill that would lessen the liability for healthcare professionals who provide services to people and places, such as homeless camps, passed the Oregon House unanimously yesterday. Rep. Gene Whisnant, (R-Sunriver), who carried the bill to the floor, said, “House Bill 4027A provides immunity from civil liability persons, who are described in the bill, who are registered volunteers with non-profit organizations and provide services without compensation. It allows people to help our most needy.”

February 2, 2012—An unexpectedly heated debate transpired in the House Health Care Committee yesterday over whether the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange’s 11 staff members should be able to seek their own healthcare coverage rather than be covered by the Public Employees’ Benefit Board (PEBB), which provides benefits to state employees.