Current Bills of Interest to NP’s

5/28/09 update

Health Care Reform – HB 2009 has gone through an extensive amendment process over the last several months and was voted out of the House Health Care Committee and moved on to the Ways and Means (Budget) Committee.  It is currently in the Subcommittee on Human Services and a public hearing and work session is scheduled this week.The current version includes most of the key elements of the Oregon Health Fund Board recommendations including:  a Health Authority that can consolidate state purchasing of health care services and begin to enact cost saving measures, and an increased focus on prevention and disease management to improve the quality of patient care.  The Senate has also passed a toned down version of HB 2009 to the Ways and Means Committee. Support

Health Care Expansion/Provider Tax – HB 2116 was also voted out of the House Health Care Committee and moved on to the Revenue Committee where it awaits a deal between Democratic leadership and the Hospital Association.  The goal is covering 80,000 children and 100,000 low-income Oregonians, maximizing federal matching dollars, and bringing over $1 billion in new federal dollars to Oregon. Support

Changes name of Board of Radiologic Technology to Board of Medical Imaging - HB2245 this bill also changes the provider language in the statute from practitioner to physician. NP’s are covered to do office ultrasounds, however, not x-rays. We are monitoring this. Last action was on 04/06/2009 when it was assigned to Subcommittee on Education.

Requires health profession licensing boards to develop process for dealing with impaired professionals - HB 2345 Support Passed the House on May 22^nd and has moved on to the Senate.

Requires certain manufacturers of pharmaceuticals and other medical products to report annually - HB 2376

to Department of Justice any payment or other transfer of value that manufacturer provides to certain recipients of those pharmaceuticals and products. Support Still in the house, last action was a public hearing on May 14^th.

Requires drug manufacturers to file with State Board of Pharmacy annual report - HB 2468 listing compensation given or paid to physicians and nurse practitioners. Neutral On 04/13/2009 Assigned to Subcommittee On Human Services and has one public hearing on May 14^th.

Prescriptive authority for licensed psychologists- HB 2702 Neutral This bill would allow licensed psychologists prescriptive authority after completing pharmacological course work and precepted clinical hours. NPO/ONA has taken a neutral position because it involves the scope of practice of another profession. We will continue to monitor this bill closely. It passed the House on May 4^th and is now in the Senate committee on Health Care and Veteran’s Affairs.

Partner treatment - HB 3022 Permits certain health professional regulatory boards to adopt rules that permit practitioners to prescribe or dispense antibiotic drugs to partners of patient without examining partner for treatment of sexually transmitted diseases. Support Passed the House on 04/27/2000. Was referred to the Senate committee on Health Care and Veterans’ Affairs which on May 27^th recommended a do pass.

Establishes medical education loan program for new primary care physicians in Oregon - HB 3258 Support with amendments to include NP’s. On 04/29/2009 the recommendation was Do pass and be referred to Ways and Means by prior reference. Currently in the Subcommittee on Education.

Patient Centered Integrated Primary Care Homes – HB 3418 Passed the House on May 8^th and is currently in the Senate committee on Health Care and Veteran’s Affairs.  After many names changes, this bill requires DHS to develop codes for new methods of payment focusing on primary care, including reimbursement for nursing services. Support

Allows volunteer health practitioner licensed in other state and registered with volunteer health practitioner registration system to practice in Oregon during emergency - SB 8 Neutral Passed the Senate on May 5^th and referred to the House committee on Veterans and Emergency Services. Passed from this committee on May 26^th with a do pass recommendation.

Requires health benefit plan to provide coverage of medically necessary telemedical health service - SB 24 that meets specified criteria if health service is otherwise covered by plan. Support Passed the senate on 04/07/2009 and is in the House committee on Health Care.

Requires State Board of Pharmacy to establish electronic prescription monitoring program - SB 355 for information reported by certain pharmacies regarding dispensing of certain prescription drugs. Support On 04/21/2009 it was assigned to Subcommittee on Human Services and the last public hearing was on May 14^th.

NP and CNS Dispensing Delegation – Support SB 605 passed the Senate unanimously in March and was referred to the House committee on Health Care. On May 22^nd it passed out of committee with a do pass recommendation.

Prohibits pharmaceutical manufacturing companies from providing certain gifts - SB 845 in conjunction with marketing of prescription drugs. No Position The last activity on this bill was a public hearing on 04/22/2009.