Rep. Val Hoyle

The amendment that would restrict pharmacists from dispensing generic insulin slipped out of the Capitol in the same way it appeared -- quietly, in an irregular committee at an odd hour. The Joint Capital Construction budget subcommittee voted to delete the amendment from House Bill 4110 at its 7:45 p.m. meeting on Wednesday. The full Ways & Means Committee approved HB 4110 without the amendment at its 8 p.m. meeting on Thursday.

The amendment to House Bill 4110 would require pharmacists to get special permission from doctors to prescribe generic insulin, which could hit the market as early as next year. The Eli Lilly amendment threatens the underlying bill, which requires insurance companies to pay for medical costs when an insured person is in police custody but not convicted of a crime.

HB 3309 would allow the Oregon Health Authority director to kick off a CCO member and lower its compensation. Rep. Brian Clem said he filed the bill to end a court battle in his district that threatens the entire CCO model.

January 24, 2013 -- Legislators are gearing up to renew the hospital provider tax that supports the Oregon Health Plan and is expected to generate about $600 million over the next two years.

March 8, 2012 – Before adjourning, the Oregon Legislature passed a law making it easier to investigate abuse among people over age 65. House Bill 4084 allows investigating agencies to look at the financial and medical records of seniors, extends the statute of limitations on certain elder abuse crimes (including theft and robbery) from two years to six years, and removes the ability to expunge these crimes from a person’s criminal record.