Posts Tagged ‘Senator Alan Bates’

HB 3650 will transform Oregon’s Health Care system

SALEM – The Oregon Senate approved landmark legislation this evening that creates a new approach to health care, improving the way Oregon serves the state’s 600,000 Medicaid beneficiaries while also cutting costs. HB 3650, often called the Health Care Transformation bill, is the product of many health care experts, the public, and a bipartisan group of legislators who met weekly throughout session with the goal of achieving better health outcomes by integrating and coordinating health care and using a global budget to control costs.

Continue reading “Health Care Transformation bill receives Senate support” »

SB 964 modeled after successful pilot projects in Jackson, Clackamas and Washington Counties

SALEM – The Senate approved landmark legislation today that will implement a new approach to taking care of children who qualify for child welfare services. Senate Bill 964 requires the Department of Human Services and its county partners to implement Strengthening, Preserving and Reunifying Families (SPRF) programs. These programs provide services and support to help keep families together when appropriate and safe, avoid or limit a child’s placement in foster care, and ensure safety and stability when a child is returned home.

Continue reading “Foster care program will protect kids, help keep families together” »

SB 827 builds on Senate Democrats’ foreclosure work of 2009 session

SALEM – The Oregon Senate approved a bill this morning that will clarify, streamline, and add some teeth to the state’s foreclosure laws. Senate Bill 827 will ensure that homeowners facing foreclosure receive timely, standardized information about how to request a loan modification and will give them recourse if there is a violation.

“The ongoing foreclosure crisis demands that we take action to help Oregon homeowners,” said Senator Suzanne Bonamici (D-NW Portland/Washington Co.), who carried the bill on the floor. “SB 827 builds on our work from last session and will increase the number of people we can help. With this bill, more Oregonians will have the information they need and the chance to be fairly considered for loan modification as an alternative to foreclosure.”

Continue reading “Senate bill will improve loan modification process for struggling homeowners” »

Devlin and Bates point to major health care victories over last two days

SALEM – Creation of a heath care marketplace that will provide 350,000 Oregonians with access to affordable, quality health care took another major step forward Tuesday with an agreement to accept a federal grant that will give Oregon $48 million to fund the development of a state health insurance exchange.

Continue reading “Funding for health exchange moving forward in budget committee” »

SB 99 sets up major piece of health care reform; will expand access and lower costs for Oregonians and small businesses

SALEM –The Oregon Senate voted this morning in support of legislation that creates a heath care marketplace that will provide 350,000 Oregonians with access to affordable, quality health care. Senate Bill 99 is the result of a broad workgroup of stakeholders who met to create a health care exchange as required by the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act passed by Congress last year.

Continue reading “Health insurance exchange earns strong, bipartisan Senate support” »