NEWS ARCHIVE
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Saturday,
August 11, 2007
In
the final days of the 2007 legislative session, the Coalition's
"Consumer Mental Health Protection and Choice”
bill was in a veritable “ICU”, with life hanging
in the balance. In the end, despite the best efforts of
Coalition members and dedicated legislators, the bill was
allowed to die in committee as the 2007 legislative session
drew to an early close.
What
began as a MHREN-based
meeting on November 9, 2006, has grown into a powerful and
energized statewide coalition of licensed mental health
professionals. From
this grassroots Coalition came experts who testified before
legislative committees of both the Senate and House and
who met and educated legislators on the merits of HB 2687,
a bi-partisan bill co-sponsored by Ashland-area Democrat
Peter Buckley
and Medford Republican Sal
Esquivel.
These
two legislators have an amazing ability to work together
based on their mutual trust and their focus on what is in
the best interests of Southern Oregon. Republican Representative
Ron Maurer
of Rogue River-Grants Pass, who is also co-chair of the
Mental Health Caucus, was a staunch and dedicated advocate
for HB 2687 throughout its process.
How
did this happen?
What
killed HB 2687 is yet to be discovered. Who killed
HB 2687, however, is not in doubt. Despite the efforts of
several key and formidable senators throughout Oregon, Democratic
Senator Kurt
Schrader (Canby/Clackamas County), Co-Chair of the Ways
& Means Committee, refused to let HB 2687 move out of
committee, effectively killing it. Even Schrader’s
committee Co-Chair, Representative Mary
Nolan, wanted HB 2687 to move forward as did other hard-working,
compassionate representatives. They had voted for our bill
in the House where it won by a whopping 51-7 majority. These
representatives, too, lobbied Senator Schrader on our behalf.
He
would not budge.
The
identitiy of those who "got to him” to effect
a "hit” remains unclear. But members of the Coalition,
still going strong, are actively researching this. Apparently
the only senator who had the influence to wrest HB 2687
from Schrader’s control was Democratic Senate President
Peter
Courtney (Salem/Gervais/Woodburn).
Senator
Courtney did not do so.
Because
we want to address the problem in the upcoming session (February,
2008), there is a real need to determine what the problem
is - perceived or real. Certainly, there is a problem
with the “system” when one person has the power
to single-handedly kill a bill that has garnered such strong
support in both houses of the legislature.
What's
Next?
In
Salem, our Coalition is viewed with high regard. We are
visible in e-mails, letters, phone calls, and in person.
We will continue to practically implement the mental health
parity bill by making licensed mental health professionals
qualifications more transparent and insurance reimbursement
more available to those seeking therapy or counseling.
As
for the future of a "Consumer Mental Health Protection
and Choice” bill,
the march is on. On July 7, Saturday, eighteen members of
the statewide Coalition met at the University of Oregon,
Eugene, to de-brief and strategize. A “new and improved”
bi-partisan bill is being prepared for the February, 2008
legislative session.
Please...hop
on board!
Monday,
June 18, 2007
FATE
OF HB 2687 HANGS IN BALANCE
It's
time to drop everything and get
to your computers and phones! We have been alerted to the
fact that over the last 24 to 48 hours a cadre of senators
is trying to kill HB 2687, the Consumer Mental Health Protection
& Choice bill.
It
may die in committee without ever coming to a vote!
CONTACT THE SUPPORTIVE SENATORS AND YOUR SENATORS AND RESPECTFULLY
ASK THEM TO SUPPORT HB 2687. ASK THEM TO KEEP IT ALIVE AND
TO ALLOW IT TO HAVE A FAIR VOTE - UP OR DOWN - ON THE SENATE
FLOOR.
Be concise, yet tell them how important this bill is to
your clients (both actual and potential) and to you. Tell
them you are depending on their vote.
Let them feel our people-power, starting with Senator
Kurt Schrader and Representative Mary Nolan, co-chairs of
the overall Ways and Means Committee. Ask them to schedule
a continuation of our hearing on HB 2687 in Sen. Carter's
Subcommittee on Human Services because of a minor policy
change in the bill, i.e., a clarifying amendment. If possible,
follow up with a phone call tomorrow to Sen. Schrader.
If
you have time, go the next step and voice your support for
HB 2687 to:
Finally, contact your senator. If you don't know
your senator's phone number, click here.
Or,
the main line to the legislature is (503) 986-1000. Ask
for the individual senator; don't be afraid to leave a voicemail.
HB
2687 SET TO MOVE - AND FAST!
Within
days or even hours, a soon-to-be-determined subcommittee of
Ways and Means (possibly the Subcommittee on Human Services)
will consider the fiscal impacts of HB 2687. Testimony will
be offered by Julia Cooley, agency administrator of the Board
of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists.
While
the fiscal impact of enforcing HB 2687 would be minimal, the
Coalition believes that a "zero impact" bill stands
a better chance of passage out of the Senate Ways and Means
Committee. After informally polling counselors and therapists
across the state, it became apparent that most support an
increase in Board fees to offset the costs of enforcing the
consumer protection provision of HB 2687.
With
"zero impact" as our goal, we expect the bill to
pass muster with Ways and Means and move to the full Senate
for a vote. Should it pass there (and this seems highly likely),
the bill's next destination would be the Governor's desk.
These
foregoing developments follow two recent hearings and work
session of the Senate
Health and Human Services Committee. On May 14, the committee
held a hearing and work session on HB 2687. In that session,
it voted unanimously to pass HB 2687 onto the Ways
and Means Committee. This came on the heels of a May 9 meeting
of the Senate Health
and Human Services Committee where it became apparent
that Ways and Means would have to evaluate the bill for its
fiscal impact. Because HB 2687 contains an enforcement provision
as part of the consumer protection clause, a subcommittee
of Ways and Means will examine the fiscal issues.
In
that May 9 session of the Senate
Health and Human Services Committee, representatives from
Kaiser and Regence introduced an amendment to the bill, a
move that also introduced some confusion. No further testimony
was offered as the Coalition leadership sought legal counsel
on the amendment's wording. The amendment was rejected by
the Coalition in the subsequent May 14 hearing where the bill
was moved to Ways and Means.
Monday,
May 7, 2007
HEARING
ON HB 2687 SCHEDULED
With
very short notice, the Senate
Health and Human Services Committee has scheduled a public
hearing and possible work session on HB 2687 for May 9 at
3:00 pm.
TAKE
ACTION!
Email
the five members of this committee (contact info below). State
your support for HB 2687, the Buckley-Esquivel "Consumer
Mental Health and Protection Bill", and ask that the
senator please vote "Yes" on HB 2687!
If possible, rearrange your schedule to "suit up and
show up" so that they can feel the power of our unity.
Don't leave it up to the "other guy" - or gal!
AGENDA
Date:
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Time: 3:00 P.M.
Room:
HR C
HB
2386 A - Requires person licensed to practice physical therapy
and who holds doctoral degree in physical therapy to use
professional title.
HB
2687 A - Requires health benefit plan to provide coverage
for services rendered by professional counselors or marriage
and family therapists acting within their scope of practice
if plan covers services by other professionals providing
same or similar services.
HB
3096 - Modifies requirements for licensure as denturist.
Staff respectfully requests that you submit 20 collated
copies of written materials at the time of your testimony.
Persons
making presentations including the use of video, DVD, PowerPoint
or overhead projection equipment are asked to contact committee
staff 24 hours prior to the meeting.
Any
item on this agenda may be carried over to the next scheduled
meeting in accordance with Senate Rule.
HEALTH
AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE
Bill
Morrisette-D, Chair; 503-986-1706, sen.billmorrisette@state.or.us
Jeff Kruse-R,
Vice-Chair; 503-986-1701, sen.jeffkruse@state.or.us
Gary George-R;
503-986-1712, sen.garygeorge@state.or.us
Laurie
Monnes Anderson-D; 503-986-1725, sen.lauriemonnesanderson@state.or.us
Joanne Verger-D;
503-986-1705, sen.joanneverger@state.or.us
Tuesday,
April 24, 2007
HB
2687 PASSES!
Today,
HB 2687 was passed by the Oregon House of Representatives
in a landslide 51 to 7 vote. Several representative spoke
in favor of the bill, including Rep. Peter Buckley, one of
the bill's main sponsors. HB 2687 will now be taken up by
the Senate Health
and Human Services Committee.
Monday, April 15, 2007
VICTORY!
On
April 13, a work session of the House
Committee on Human Services and Women's Wellness voted
unanimously to send House Bill 2687, Consumer Mental Health
Protection and Choice to the House floor. There was much
support on the Committee for our cause, as there is in the
House. (You can listen to an audio archive of the hearing
here
- RealPlayer required.)
Friday's
victory is owed in no small part to Rep. Peter Buckley who
facilitated part of the work session and did much work behind
the scenes. Kudos as well to the committee members and, of
course, all of our coalition who voiced their support for
the bill to these legislators!
STRATEGIC
SHIFT
Since
the April 13 vote by the Committee to send HB 2687 to the
House floor, our Coalition strategy has changed. Our contacts
in the legislature suggest that action on the Senate side
will await the anticipated passage of HB 2687 by the full
House. At that time, the Senate
Health and Human Services Committee will consider the
bill.
What
does this mean for us? Because the Senate
Health and Human Services Committee has put SB 452 on
hold, our highest prioirity is to ensure the passage of HB
2687 by the full house.
WHAT
CAN YOU DO?
Stay
alert to the timing of the vote on the House floor. On that
day, come to the Capitol to lobby your representatives before
the vote, and then fill the gallery.
Meanwhile,
pack your your overnight bag, get quarters for the parking
meter, and tell your bosses and clients that you may need
to leave quickly - to make history!
Wednesday,
April 11, 2007
An
upcoming work session of the House
Human Services and Women's Wellness Committee will
determine if HB 2687 is sent to a floor vote.
It
is imperative that those who previously testified
at this committee's March 26th public hearing be present should
the representatives have questions or concerns.
If
you cannot make this session, please contact members
of this committee urging that they send HB 2687 to the
floor accompanied by its Consumer Protection amendment.
Monday,
March 26, 2007
The
House Human Services
and Women's Wellness Committee met on Monday, March 26,
2007 to hear testimony on HB 2687, the House
version of SB 452. Although the session was hurried, testimony
by Coalition members Mary Lou Brophy, Gary Woodring, and Bryan
Nilsen spanned the many issues - social and economic - that
this bill addresses.
Other
witnesses included Marcus Berglund, President-elect of the
Oregon Association for Marriage
and Family Therapy as well as several LPCs and LMFTs from
different corners of Oregon. Closing off the hearing were
brief remarks from a Regence Blue Cross/Blue Shield representative
who spoke against the bill.
You
can listen to an audio archive of the hearing here
(RealPlayer required.)
Committee
members:
Carolyn
Tomei - D, Chair; 503-986-1441, rep.carolyntomei@state.or.us
Sara Gelser
- D, Vice-Chair; 503-986-1416,
rep.saragelser@state.or.us
Andy Olson
- R, Vice-Chair; 503-986-1415, rep.andyolson@state.or.us
Jean Cowan -
D; 503-986-1410, rep.jeancowan@state.or.us
Vic Gilliam
- R; 503-986-1418, rep.vicgilliam@state.or.us
Tina Kotek
- D; 503-986-1444, rep.tinakotek@state.or.us
Ron Maurer
- R; 503-986-1403, rep.ronmaurer@state.or.us
Tuesday,
March 6, 2007
A
public
hearing on SB
452 was hosted by the Senate
Health and Human Services Committee on Monday, March 5,
in Capitol Hearing Room C.
The
bill would require health benefit plans to "provide coverage
for services rendered by professional counselors
or marriage and family therapists acting within their
scope of practice if plan covers services by other professionals
providing same or similar services."
You
can access the testimony here
(RealPlayer required).
Future hearings are likely, so stay tuned.
Health
and Human Services Committee
members:
Bill
Morrisette-D, Chair; 503-986-1706, sen.billmorrisette@state.or.us
Jeff Kruse-R,
Vice-Chair; 503-986-1701, sen.jeffkruse@state.or.us
Larry George-R;
503-986-1712, sen.larrygeorge@state.or.us
Laurie
Monnes Anderson-D; 503-986-1725, sen.lauriemonnesanderson@state.or.us
Joanne Verger-D;
503-986-1705, sen.joanneverger@state.or.us
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