Senate Committee advances four health measures, refers two to Ways and Means

The Senate Committee on Health Care on Thursday, Feb. 27, voted to advance four health-related measures after work sessions that ranged from technical statutory changes to funding requests for programs aimed at providers and patients.

The committee recommended a “do pass” for Senate Bill 873, which would repeal the Oregon Medical Board’s Volunteer Emeritus license; Senate Bill 874, which defines “Oriental medicine” in statute to include acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine; Senate Bill 531, a $1.6 million appropriation to the Oregon Wellness Program; and Senate Bill 718, which would establish a Parkinson’s disease registry at the Oregon Health Authority. Two of the measures — SB 531 and SB 718 — were sent to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means by prior reference for additional fiscal review.

Why it matters: the measures range from clarifying statutory language to creating new statewide programs. The wellness funding is a one-time appropriation intended to support confidential counseling for licensed health-care workers; the Parkinson’s registry would create a reporting requirement for providers and an advisory committee to guide data collection.

Senate Bill 873 and Senate Bill 874

Senate Bill 873 would repeal the Oregon Medical Board’s Volunteer Emeritus license, a credential previously used to allow out-of-state physicians to practice on a volunteer basis in Oregon. Mr. Dietz, committee staff, told members that House Bill 4,096 already permits out-of-state physicians with a current license to practice on a volunteer basis for up to 30 days, and “as of right now, there are no licensees using it.” The committee voted to advance SB 873 with a due-pass recommendation; Vice Chair Hayden agreed to serve as carrier.

Senate Bill 874 would add a statutory definition for Oriental medicine to make the text consistent with existing board regulation of acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine. Committee staff said the bill is intended “to bring consistency to statutory definitions.” The committee advanced SB 874 with a due-pass recommendation and assigned a carrier.

Senate Bill 531 — Oregon Wellness Program funding

Senate Bill 531 would appropriate $1,600,000 to the Oregon Wellness Program through the Department of Administrative Services. Committee staff described the program as providing “confidential counseling services at no direct cost to health-care professionals.” Nicole Krishnaswamy, executive director of the Oregon Medical Board, told the committee the medical board currently contributes $125,000 per year to the program and that the program is run by the Foundation for Medical Excellence. Committee discussion acknowledged support for the program’s goals but also expressed concern that the appropriation is one-time and does not create a stable, ongoing funding source. During the roll call, Senator Lipperta voted no; the motion passed and SB 531 was referred to Ways and Means by prior reference.

Senate Bill 718 — Parkinson’s registry

Senate Bill 718 would establish a Parkinson’s disease registry within the Oregon Health Authority, require provider reporting with an opt-out for individuals, and create an advisory committee to guide the registry. Committee staff said the measure has a fiscal impact and noted it will be referred to Ways and Means. The motion to advance SB 718 also passed; a carrier was assigned.

Votes at a glance

- SB 873 (repeal Volunteer Emeritus license): Motion moved by Vice Chair Hayden; roll call recorded Senator Campos excused; Senator Leviticus — Aye; Senator Reynolds — Aye; Vice Chair Hayden — Aye; Chair Patterson — Aye. Outcome: advanced with due-pass recommendation; carrier assigned.

- SB 874 (define Oriental medicine): Motion moved by Vice Chair Hayden; roll call recorded Senator Tacos excused; Senator Lincecum — Aye; Senator Reynolds — Aye; Vice Chair Hayden — Aye; Chair Patterson — Aye. Outcome: advanced with due-pass recommendation; carrier assigned.

- SB 531 ($1,600,000 to Oregon Wellness Program): Motion moved by Vice Chair Hayden that the bill be advanced and referred by prior reference to Ways and Means; roll call recorded Senator Pappos excused; Senator Lipperta — No; Senator Reynolds — Aye; Vice Chair Hayden — Aye; Chair Patterson — Aye. Outcome: advanced with due-pass recommendation; referred to Ways and Means.

- SB 718 (Parkinson’s registry): Motion moved by Vice Chair Hayden that the bill be advanced and referred by prior reference to Ways and Means; roll call recorded Senator Campos excused; Senator Lenthicam — Aye; Senator Reynolds — Aye; Vice Chair Hayden — Aye; Chair Patterson — Aye. Outcome: advanced with due-pass recommendation; referred to Ways and Means; carrier assigned.

Committee procedure and next steps

Committee staff repeatedly noted minimal fiscal or revenue impacts for the technical-definition and licensing repeal bills and flagged that SB 531 and SB 718 carry fiscal impacts requiring the additional review by the Joint Committee on Ways and Means. Several members urged Ways and Means to consider program sustainability and long-term funding options for the Oregon Wellness Program during its review.

The committee closed the work sessions and moved into public hearings later in the same meeting.

Ending

All four measures were advanced from the committee on Feb. 27. SB 531 and SB 718 were forwarded to Ways and Means for further fiscal consideration; sponsors or committee leaders were assigned to carry the other measures when they return to the floor.