Posts Tagged ‘oregon senate’

HB 2611A outlines next steps for greater awareness of health care disparities across minority groups

SALEM – A bill that addresses the disproportionate health problems faced by minority communities passed in the Senate this morning, with a 26-2 vote with two excused. House Bill 2611A establishes the protocol and next steps for creating cultural competency standards for Oregon’s health professional regulatory boards.

“The evidence shows clear health disparities in minority communities,” said Senator Chip Shields (D-Portland), a chief sponsor of HB 2611A. “We can work to close these gaps by adequately preparing health care providers to identify and address cultural barriers to quality care.”

Research has shown that training in cultural competency improves the skills and knowledge of health care providers, enabling them to work effectively in cross-cultural situations. Generally, cultural competency in health care is defined as a set of provider skills, provider communication strategies, and institutional policies that come together with the goal of improving care and outcomes.

Oregon has seen a steady increase in the diversity of the state’s population, with over 20 percent of Oregonians identifying as Latino or non-white according to 2011 American Community Survey data.

“Training for cultural competency will improve Oregon’s health care delivery system so that we can address the diverse needs of our rapidly-changing population,” said Senator Laurie Monnes Anderson (D-Gresham), chair of the Senate Health Care and Human Services Committee. “As Oregon becomes more diverse, House Bill 2611A will help us make sure everyone in Oregon is getting quality health care.”

Specifically, HB 2611A requires the Oregon’s health care professional regulatory boards to develop standards for continuing education in cultural competence. The bill also instructs the Oregon Health Authority to develop a list of opportunities for continuing education so that providers have a variety of sources for proper cultural training.

“Implementing cultural competency standards is a key part of making health care more effective,” said Senate Majority Leader Diane Rosenbaum (D-Portland). “Senate Democrats will continue our efforts to strengthen Oregon’s health care workforce in order to provide greater access to affordable, preventative care.”

The bill now goes to Governor John A. Kitzhaber for his signature.

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For more information on the Senate Majority Caucus, please visit www.orsenatemajority.org

HB 2992A benefits farmers, solidifies fresh food programs for low-income mothers and seniors

SALEM—As farmers markets across the state open this week, the Oregon Senate voted today to make sure that seniors, pregnant mothers, and infants have access to a nutritious, healthy foods in order to support their health. House Bill 2992A, which passed the Senate on a 27-0 vote with three excused, authorizes the Oregon Health Authority to maintain the Farm Direct Nutrition Program and Senior Farm Direct Nutrition program, which allows Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) recipients and low-income seniors to purchase food directly from local farmers markets and roadside stands.

“Locally-grown produce is a great source of nutrition, and we ought to make sure the most vulnerable Oregonians can get fresh fruit and vegetables to stop hunger and maintain a healthy diet,” said Senator Alan Bates (D-Medford). “We can help our farmers and prevent food insecurity by sustaining these critical programs.”

Currently, the Farm Direct Nutrition Program and Senior Farm Direct Nutrition Program rely on federal grants from the United States Department of Agriculture. In 2012, funding for these grants dried up for a three-month period when the fiscal cliff disagreement jeopardized re-authorization of the programs. HB 2992A sets up a mechanism for Oregon to fund these programs directly in the absence of federal grants by authorizing the Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon Department of Agriculture to administer assistance to low-income seniors and WIC recipients.

“This bill is a win for young families, a win for seniors on limited incomes, and a win for Oregon farmers who grow quality produce,” said Senator Chris Edwards (D-Eugene). “We need to keep vulnerable Oregonians healthy, and these programs do that while injecting millions of dollars into Oregon’s local farm economy.”

HB 2992A will help Oregon meet two goals to help alleviate hunger in the state: First, the bill assists in cultivating a strong regional food system through local farms and farmers markets, and second, helps improve the safety net and assistance for vulnerable seniors, women, and children.

“We can’t depend on the inaction we’ve seen in Washington, D.C. to feed our seniors and children. That’s why it’s so important that Oregon have its own way to sustain these programs,” said Senate Majority Leader Diane Rosenbaum. “HB 2992A supports Oregon farmers and rural communities while providing fresh, nutritious food to people who really need it.”

The bill will now go to Governor John A. Kitzhaber for his signature.

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For more information on the Senate Majority Caucus, please visit www.orsenatemajority.org

SB 254A establishes best practices for public contracting in order to make effective use of taxpayers’ money

SALEM—Today the Oregon Senate approved legislation that will make state and local governments’ use of taxpayer money more efficient by establishing a balanced and standard framework for public contracting. SB 254A, which passed on a unanimous vote, will require state and local agencies to use standardized rules when awarding contracts under the ‘Construction Management/General Contractor’ (CMGC) method.

“Taxpayers expect us to make effective use of their money, and these new rules will help ensure that contracts are open and fair to get the best value,” said Senator Lee Beyer (D-Springfield). “SB 254A improves the CMGC bidding process by making it more flexible and accountable.”

State and local governments increasingly use the CMGC method to award contracts for large value projects and structures with historical value. SB 254A is the product of a legislative work group that came together in order to assess the ramifications of CMGC’s rising popularity as an alternative to traditional ‘low-bid’ contracting. The bill responds to concerns that the CMGC process does not provide for sufficient transparency of the contracting process by creating a standardized framework and set of rules that agencies will use.

“We are continuing our effort to deliver services more efficiently and with greater savings for taxpayers,” said Senator Alan Bates (D-Medford). “This bill is a great example of how we can continue to strengthen government efficiency and cut waste.”

The bill codifies some exemptions from bidding processes that already exist in practice, while ensuring that agencies make the best use of taxpayer money by creating competitive, fair bidding through CMGC.

“SB 254A takes much-needed steps toward transparency, accountability, and leveling the playing field in how state and local contracts are awarded,” said Senate Majority Leader Diane Rosenbaum (D-Portland).

SB 254A will now go the Oregon House of Representatives for further work and consideration.

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For more information on the Senate Majority Caucus, please visit www.orsenatemajority.org

SB 833B will allow Oregonians to go through an alternative process to obtain a short-term driver card

SALEM—The Oregon Senate today voted to improve the safety of the state’s roads by ensuring that more qualified drivers are able to get certification. SB 833B, which passed on a 20-7 vote with three excused, will allow Oregonians to obtain a short-term driver card from the Driver and Motor Vehicle Services division (DMV), leading to more accountability for these drivers on Oregon roads.

“It’s all about public safety. Right now, we have a dangerous situation because many drivers aren’t able to get any sort of certification from the DMV,” said Senator Chip Shields (D-Portland). “Passing SB 833B is the right thing to do in order to ensure all Oregon drivers on our roads have the proper training and skills to drive safely.”

Currently, Oregon requires driver license applicants to produce foundational documents that verify the person’s identity and proof of legal presence. SB 833B will allow for an alternative process to obtain a state-issued ‘driver card,’ which proves driving privileges but cannot be used as proof of identity. Applicants must reside in Oregon for at least one year, and must meet all other requirements of a driver’s license. Driver cards issued under SB 833B will be valid for four years, rather than the eight-year validity period for a standard driver license. Whether a driver holds a license or a card, Oregon law requires liability insurance once they are on the road.

“Offering short-term driver cards will save lives and reduce costs for drivers who are impacted by currently-uninsured and -unlicensed drivers,” said Senator Lee Beyer (D-Springfield), chair of the Senate Business and Transportation Committee. “SB 833B will enable more Oregonians get to their jobs, and providing a lawful avenue for them will help make all of us more safe.”

Business and agricultural communities, law enforcement, and advocacy groups for low-income Oregonians have come together in support of SB 833B.

“These Oregonians need to get to work, get to the store, and take their children to school. SB 833B gives them an opportunity to get to the places they need to go in a safe and accountable way,” said Senate Majority Leader Diane Rosenbaum (D-Portland). “Ultimately our state will benefit from increased safety and productivity.”

In 2008, the Oregon Legislature passed SB 1080, which instituted the requirement that driver license applicants provide proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence in the country in order to comply with federal REAL ID standards. That would remain the case if SB 833B becomes law, as the new driver card may only be used to provide evidence of driving privileges, identify the person as an organ donor or veteran, and provide a driver identification number to law enforcement.

SB 833B will now go the Oregon House of Representatives for a vote.

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For more information on the Senate Majority Caucus, please visit www.orsenatemajority.org