HJR 54, the Resolution introduced by the ACC Oregon relating to "door to balloon" times, passed the Senate floor unanimously today. Senator Burdick (D-Portland), carried the bill on the Senate floor and spoke out in favor of it in committee, thanking members of the ACC Oregon for bringing this issue forward. The final step for this Resolution is the Governor's office where he will officially sign the legislation.  The bill can be seen in its entirety at: HJR 54


Two other major health care bills passed the House floor on Monday: HB 2009 (The Oregon Health Fund Board Proposal) and HB 2116 (the Provider Tax) passed on near party-line votes.  

HB 2009 includes many individual bills that the Oregon ACC lobbyists have been tracking including the POLST registry and requirements regarding electronic health records. The entire bill can be viewed at: HB 2009

HB 2116 creates a 1% tax on health insurance companies and a variable tax on hospitals, not to exceed 5.3%. The hospitals are held harmless by the bill, in other words they are guaranteed a return in revenue at least equal to the tax that they pay.  No other entities at this point are included in the tax. To view the entire bill: HB 2116

Both bills now must pass the Senate floor and go to the Governor's office for approval.


HB 2802 has generated a lot attention lately. This bill triples the amount that may be awarded in wrongful death suits. The Senate leadership have expressed that the bill would not move. Furthermore, the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association (OTLA) does not even support this bill because they want to eliminate any cap on awards in wrongful death suits. Clearly this will be an issue that OTLA will explore in the next legislative session, assuming that the Senate leadership is correct in determining the bills fate for this session. Oregon ACC lobbyists and other opponents are actively talking to legislators about our concerns with this bill.  The entire bill can be seen at: HB 2802

The Statute of Ultimate Repose bill however does have some momentum. SB 284 is on its way to the House floor, opponents have found 5 democrats to commit to being "no" votes in addition to most of the Republicans. The coalition, including Oregon ACC lobbyists, are working toward gaining one more no vote to be able to kill the bill on the House floor.  Some support in killing the bill has come from the potentially unconstitutional "look away" provision that defers to other states statutes when product lawsuits arise. The entire bill can be seen at: Statute of Ultimate Repose  Statute of Ultimate Repose

HB 2245 is not moving. This is the bill that would expand the duties of this board to include ionizing and non-ionizing radiation practices and the professionals who perform it. Advocacy chair Dr. Kirk Walker worked to amend the bill in a workgroup that makes the legislation satisfactory to cardiologists who oversee sonographers. Because of a somewhat significant fiscal impact, the bill does not appear to be moving out of Ways and Means at this point. The entire bill can be seen at: HB 2245

After many years of watching other legislative groups getting their bills passed and potentially harmful legislation blocked, the ACC Oregon Council voted unanimously to form our own Political Action Committee (PAC). Kirk Walker, ACC Oregon Advocacy Chair, has agreed to serve as the Director of the PAC. Advocacy Committee member and ACC Councilor Aly Rahimtoola has agreed to serve as the PAC Treasurer.

Through the State of Oregon Legislature Web Site you can find out who is your Oregon Representative or Senator. Check it out and consider getting involved.