2010

Oregon Women's Health

And Wellness Alliance
www.owhwa.org
 

February 5, 2010
State Capitol, H 278
12 – 1 PM
MEETING NOTES

I. Introductions – Full room again! 27 people attended, including Reps Tomei, Doherty,
VanOrman, Dembrow

II. February Session Bills Update

- HB 3623, Human Trafficking: James / Rep. Barton

Bill passed unanimously through House Human Services Committee and Rep. Barton
will carry it on the House floor early next week. They’ve asked it go to Sen.
Morrisette’s Human Services committee. They plan to request Gov signing ceremony.
Rep. Tomei indicated Gov is more willing to do it when requested by constituent too.

- HB 3631, Prohibition on insurance discrimination for victims of Domestic Violence: Rep.

VanOrman,
Bill passed unanimously through House Human Services Committee and Rep.
VanOrman will carry it early next week on the House floor. They’ve requested it be
sent to Sen. Monnes Anderson Health Committee. Had good supporting testimony
from social workers (Maura), OMA, AAUW, and others

- HB 3625, Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month: Rep. Tomei

First bill passed by the House!! Carried by Rep. Tomei. Has been sent to Sen. LMA
Health Care Committee, and will have hearing on Thursday, Feb. 11

- SB 1032, BPA Ban in Children’s Products: Andrea Salinas/ OEC or Jill /Sen. Dingfelder,
Margi Hoffman
Good press conference on Thursday with lots of coalition partners speaking. Still got
done in 15-20 minutes. Great!
Hearing on Thursday, lots of strong testimony, and expect bipartisan support.
Big snag though. WIC food program formula comes in cans, likely containing BPA, so
HUGE fiscal ($19 M). Will eliminate the can provision, leaving it just baby bottles and
sippy cup types. Next up on 2/9 in Sen. Dingfelder committee
Also, Rep. Tomei has backup bill filed in House in case it’s necessary.
- Employment Related Day Care Meghan Moyer/SEIU, Regan Gray/Children First
No stand alone bill, just part of budget rehaul
Going well, couched as job issue for low income workers and as self-sufficiency
program
Will cost $16M to continue program through 09-11 biennium
Rally on Tuesday, 12-1 in the Galleria, with Speaker Hunt, Rep. Kotek and Sen Shields
to speak; encourage organizations to participate, either with display and/or 1page letter
of support. Debbie/Tomei will get OWHWA fact sheet ready for Tuesday

- Breast and Cervical Cancer Program Megan/ Sen. Rosenbaum

The OBCCP is funded 100% by outside organizations; the State does not put any
money into this program. Right now funding for the OBCCP comes from outside
organizations; two of the top contributors are Komen and the American Cancer Society.
In 2009 Sen. Rosenbaum introduced two bills, SB 891/892 that would have allocated
general fund money into both the screening and treatment parts of this program ($8mil.
total for both bills)…Due to the budget shortfall neither passed.

Last fall we discovered that the American Cancer Society had to reduce the amount of
money they contributed to the OBCCP. The ACS reduced their funding from $200,000
to $40,000 for this fiscal year – A reduction of $160,000. DHS has pieced together
enough money/state match (they receive a 3:1 Fed. match) to cover the program at its
current funding level until June 30th 2010. After that the program is facing a shortfall of
over $200,000 (ACS is does not anticipate being able to contribute anything next fiscal
year) which will further reduce the number of low income women who can be screened
and treated through this program. The number of women who are eligible for screening
is over 55,000, we are currently screening approx. 6,000 a year – this number will drop
further if we do not find money to make up the loss.

There currently is not a bill for the February session to address this problem.

- Others?

HB 3664 Medical coverage for foster kids 18-21 - Regan Gray / Children First
Good hearing and support. Issue is funding, about $450,000. Looking to incorporate
that age group into Healthy Kids so that funding can come through provider tax. Expect
to move the bill through House Health Committee on Monday, to W&Ms

SB 1025 Radon bill: Jill/Sen. Dingfelder

“Unlikely alliance” of supporters-- Homebuilders, realtors, Lung Assn. Well, if not
supporting at least not opposing; focused on residential property; hearing scheduled for
Tuesday, 2/9, in Sen. Bonamici’s Consumer Protection Committee

DV/SA Workplace policies – Sybil Hebb/ Oregon Law Center

Continue to talk about employer training and policies surrounding domestic violence
and workplace;
 News: Governor will convene a small workgroup, including BOLI, AG, and others, to
determine what should be done to respond to DV workplace violence incidences.
Hopefully that will include legislative ideas for 2011. First meeting will take place
soon.

National Women’s Health Week – Julie McFarlane

May 9-15. National website www.womenshealth.gov/whw to register events, get free
stuff. Also small grant funding is available. Debbie/Tomei, as before, will ask for Gov
proclamation May 9-15 as Women’s Health Week; Will post link info to the OWHWA
website www.OWHWA.org

HB 3618 – Rep. Dembrow Home Care Worker bill

Expand workers covered under Home Care Commission to include those who work
with DD clients; most important aspect is to get these workers included in workers’
comp program; stakeholders working together include DD community, DHS, SEIU
(likely representation) and Home Care Commission; in House Human Services
Committee with work session scheduled next week.

SB 999 – Sybil Hebb

This bill makes veterans eligible for certain diversion programs instead of incarceration.
DV/SA has concerns with the ways it’s currently written. Want to amend bill so that
repeat DV/SA offenders can’t be included in this diversion. Good support for that
amendment; Has hearing 2/9 in Sen. Judiciary.

Good words from Kristen Leonard –

I’ve been coming to these meetings for years and how wonderful it is to see such a large
group and that we’re accomplishing so much. Things have really changed from the old
days!!!

Caution from Marcia Kelly –

Issues always come down to funding and I’ve just sat through hours of testimony about
increasing or instituting new tax credits. All in the name of “jobs”

Next mtg. Friday, Feb 12, Noon - H278