The Doctor is Deployed - LLM Publications

STATMay 2010 • Volume 40, No. 5INSIDE THIS ISSUESpecial LegislativeSession ReportNew OMA OfficersAnnounced,OMA AlliancePresident InstalledOMA CommitteeVolunteerOpportunitiesAvailable for MembersReminder to Prescribersand PharmaciesUpdated 2010 PQRIand E-PrescribingEducational ProductsNow Available OnlineGot RAC questions?The OMA is Hereto Help!Is Your PracticeHIPAA Compliant?Is Your PracticeManager ReceivingOMA E-mail Updates?Don’t Miss Out onEssential Education inYour Area this SpringIt’s Not too Lateto Order 2010Coding Books2010 Loss PreventionSchedule AvailableOnline2010-11 Medical-Legal HandbookNow AvailableNeed a Venue for YourSummer Meetingor Special Event?March Drug Turn-InEvent a Huge SuccessThe Oregon ClinicRecognized byMGMA as a “BetterPerformer” inNational ReportLatest AMA TherapeuticInsights CoversAlzheimer’s DiseaseMember NewsIn MemoriamSpecial Legislative Session ReportOn Thursday, Feb. 25, the Oregon Legislature adjourned Sine Die to mark the end of the 2010special legislative session. The Legislators plugged a $183 million revenue shortfall withoutmajor cuts to programs. Adjustments to the budget included “fund sweeps” from agencyreserves that totaled $51.7 million and reforming the state’s Business Energy Tax Creditsprogram to find another $55 million. The Finance and Revenue co-chairs also identified anadditional $20.8 million in budget requirements that they covered with $10 million from the“rainy day” fund and $23.5 million from an expected tobacco tax revenue increase to leave thestate with a $12.7 million ending balance.While Legislators convened during the special session with the primary purpose of addressingthe state’s budgetary concerns, over 200 bills were introduced and many were consideredin just under four weeks. One of the most significant policy decisions to come out of thislegislature was the constitutional referral of legislation to require annual legislative sessions.Legislation was introduced that would provide for annual sessions with preset limits on thelength of the sessions; sessions during even-numbered years would be limited to 35 days, andthose during odd-numbered years would be limited to 160 days. As this policy would requirean amendment to the state constitution, it will be referred to voters. Other bills of note include:BPA Ban (SB 1032) The OMA supported a ban on Bisphenol A, an ingredient in some plasticsshown to disrupt endocrine function, in products for children age three and under. The billfailed on the Senate floor on a split vote of 15-15. OMA and our various partner organizationswill reintroduce similar legislation in 2011.Primary Care Loan Repayment (HB 3639) This bill, which established the Primary CareStudent Loan Repayment Fund, passed with OMA support. Ultimately, given the current direbudget climate, there were no funds provided for the program, and details regarding fundingstill need to be addressed in future sessions.Noneconomic Damages Cap (SJR 46) The OMA supported this proposed constitutionalamendment that would limit awards on noneconomic damages against health care providers,nonprofit corporations and public bodies to $1 million. No hearings were held for this proposal,and the bill remained in committee upon adjournment. The Judiciary Committee will holdhearings in May on the Rural Medical Liability Fund.Psychologists Prescriptive Authority (SB 1046) This bill sought to create a program forprescribing psychologists under the Oregon Medical Board. A task force made up of an equalnumber of members appointed by the OMB and the Board of Psychologist Examiners wascreated to design and set the standards for the program. Despite opposition from the OMA andother medical professional groups based on the training and oversight provisions in the bill andconcerns for patient safety, the bill passed. However, the Governor announced on April 8 thathe had vetoed the bill. The OMA would like to thank the many OMA members who traveledto Salem to testify, sent e-mail messages, made phone calls, and sent letters to newspapers inopposition to the bill.Physician Assistant Supervision Panels (HB 3642) This bill creates an alternativesupervisory panel for larger groups of physician assistants. The OMA worked to include anamendment that requires the supervising physician organization to include the names of thepanel and to name the primary supervising physicians in the practice plan. This bill passed andhas been signed by the Governor.continues31