Posts Tagged ‘Oregon Women’s Health & Wellness Alliance’

SB 433 a major priority of the Oregon Women’s Health & Wellness Alliance

SALEM – The Senate approved legislation this afternoon that will help low-income women access life-saving treatment if they are diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer. SB 433 will expand eligibility of women for the treatment of breast and cervical cancer if they are diagnosed through a health care provider outside of the Oregon Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (OBCCP).

“This vital legislation will provide life-saving treatment for hundreds of low-income women diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer,” said Senate Majority Leader Diane Rosenbaum (D-Portland), chief sponsor of the bill and a breast cancer survivor. “Early detection and treatment are crucial for a cancer patient’s survival. With the passage of Senate Bill 433 we can ensure that low-income women who are diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer receive prompt and comprehensive treatment, regardless of where they receive their diagnosis.”

Continue reading “Senate covers breast and cervical cancer treatment for low-income women” »

HB 2714 significantly increases fine for engaging in prostitution with minors

SALEM – The Senate approved a bill this morning that makes a significant change to how the crime of paying for sex with an underage prostitute is prosecuted in Oregon. HB 2714 increases the fine for paying for sex with a minor from $6,250 to $20,000 and separates in statute the crime of soliciting prostitution from the crime of offering prostitution. Today’s vote came following an event held by the Women’s Health and Wellness Alliance to raise awareness around women’s issues. HB 2714 is a priority bill for the Alliance this session.

Continue reading “Bill cracks down on “johns,” will help young sex trafficking victims” »

Rosenbaum & Burdick praise provision that requires worker accommodation

Two chief sponsors of state legislation to improve workplace conditions for mothers who are breastfeeding praised provisions in the federal health care bill signed into law last week.  Inspired by House Bill 2372 from the 2007 session, the federal legislation extends these standards nation-wide.  The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act states that employers with more than 50 employees must provide reasonable, unpaid break time and a private, non-bathroom place for an employee to express breast milk for her nursing child for one year after the child’s birth.

“Oregon’s landmark workplace breastfeeding law was a major achievement of the Oregon Women’s Health and Wellness Alliance and the Oregon Nursing Mother’s Counsel,” said Senator Diane Rosenbaum (D-Portland), one of two chief House sponsors in 2007. “Oregon has led the nation with a model law that promotes the benefits of breastfeeding.”

“The benefits of accommodating breastfeeding are significant for mothers, their children, and employers,” said Senator Ginny Burdick (D-Portland), the chief sponsor of the 2007 bill in the Senate. “Lower absenteeism, higher worker morale, and healthier children are in everyone’s best interest.”

Both legislators praised U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley for his advocacy on this issue during the recent debate on health care reform. Last year, he introduced the “Reasonable Break Time for Nursing Mothers” as an amendment to the Senate HELP Committee’s health reform bill that ultimately was signed into law. Continue reading “Breastfeeding provision in federal health care reform follows Oregon’s lead” »