I write today to explain the reasons for my vote in opposition to House Bill 2700 on March 15, 2007. While I support the use of prescription birth control as a form of contraception, and recognize that available contraception will reduce unwanted pregnancies—and therefore reduce abortion—a number of flaws with House Bill 2700 made it impossible to support.
The definition of “emergency contraception” included in the bill is dangerously vague. The definition is “a drug or device that is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration to prevent pregnancy after sexual intercourse.” Nothing in this definition restricts use of emergency contraception to a specific time period following intercourse. Nor does the definition strictly limit emergency contraception to a treatment that prevents conception from taking place. This vagueness could result in requiring health care providers to give treatment outside the scope of legislative intent. Any treatment performed after conception affects not just the patient, but also the human embryo growing within. Because of this vagueness, I could not support House Bill 2700.
Furthermore, House Bill 2700 includes a requirement that a “student health insurance policy” provide coverage or reimbursement for prescription contraceptives. Student health insurance policies are intended to provide medical insurance to college and university students who do not otherwise have available health care. However, not everyone attending college or university is over the age of 18. House Bill 2700 could require the dispensing of prescription contraception to children under the age of 18. This is incompatible with public policy and laws concerning sexual intercourse with minors. Sexual intercourse with a minor under age 18 is statutory rape, and is illegal in Oregon. I believe that House Bill 2700, by allowing minors to obtain prescription contraception, would amount to a state endorsement of sexual intercourse by children under the age of 18. Because I believe my duty as a State Representative is to protect our children and uphold the law, I could not support House Bill 2700.
Finally, House Bill 2700 is an unfunded mandate on health insurance providers. Unfunded mandates increase costs to consumers. Presently, employers can choose to offer employees health insurance plans that offer coverage for contraception. Likewise, individuals are free to obtain private health insurance plans of their own. Ultimately, every person can choose to purchase contraceptive drugs and devices out-of-pocket. The ability to choose which benefits will comprise a health insurance plan results in the lowest possible cost to the consumer. House Bill 2700 would take the power of choice away from the people. The net effect of the bill might help one segment of the population afford contraception, but would at the same time make the overall cost of health care more for all Oregonians. While I support more available and accessible contraception, a mandate that places a burden on health insurance providers is not the answer.
For all these reasons, I voted NAY on House Bill 2700.
Showing posts with label Health Care. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Health Care. Show all posts
Friday, March 16, 2007
Monday, February 5, 2007
Thank a Veteran
SALEM – Oregon State Representative Donna Nelson (R-McMinnville) proposes a number of new programs to help veterans in Oregon.
“We owe everything we take for granted in our society to the hard work and sacrifices of our veterans,” said Representative Nelson. “That’s why, this week, we started work on a number of drafts to give back what we can.”
One bill introduced this week builds on one of last session’s successes, the Troops to Teachers program. House Bill 2577, which will receive its first reading on the House floor next week, would expand the program in order to allow veterans attending private colleges and universities to receive tuition assistance as if they were at a state-funded school. Another proposal would help ensure veterans are sufficiently represented in graduate and professional schools.
Education is not the only veterans issue for Representative Nelson. Other proposals include incentives to bring more health care providers into the Tricare system, tax credits for long term care costs incurred by veterans, and funding for funeral services for veterans killed in service.
Representative Nelson previously served as the Chair of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs in 2005, and continues to make veterans a top legislative priority.
“If you can read this, thank a teacher,” Representative Nelson stated. “If you can read this in English, thank a veteran.”
“We owe everything we take for granted in our society to the hard work and sacrifices of our veterans,” said Representative Nelson. “That’s why, this week, we started work on a number of drafts to give back what we can.”
One bill introduced this week builds on one of last session’s successes, the Troops to Teachers program. House Bill 2577, which will receive its first reading on the House floor next week, would expand the program in order to allow veterans attending private colleges and universities to receive tuition assistance as if they were at a state-funded school. Another proposal would help ensure veterans are sufficiently represented in graduate and professional schools.
Education is not the only veterans issue for Representative Nelson. Other proposals include incentives to bring more health care providers into the Tricare system, tax credits for long term care costs incurred by veterans, and funding for funeral services for veterans killed in service.
Representative Nelson previously served as the Chair of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs in 2005, and continues to make veterans a top legislative priority.
“If you can read this, thank a teacher,” Representative Nelson stated. “If you can read this in English, thank a veteran.”
Friday, January 26, 2007
PRESS RELEASE
Disabled veterans need health care reform
SALEM – Oregon State Representative Donna Nelson (R-McMinnville) proposes bold changes to the way Oregon’s disabled veterans receive health care.
“We are now working with the Oregon War Veterans Association to draft a bill that would allow all disabled veterans access to the Oregon Health Plan,” Representative Nelson stated. “Many of our disabled veterans live in rural communities far removed from regional V.A. medical centers. But because these brave men and women are eligible for V.A. benefits, they are denied use of the Oregon Health Plan.”
There are an estimated 40,000 disabled veterans living in Oregon. For many medical procedures, veterans must travel to either the Portland or Roseburg V.A. medical center in order to receive V.A.-funded treatment. Representative Nelson explained, “this proposal would allow those who have sacrificed so much to receive treatment locally, rather than at clinics half-way across the state.”
Greg Warnock, the President of the Oregon War Veterans Association, believes this plan is long overdue. “Veterans living in rural communities have suffered long enough,” said Warnock. “If disabled veterans had access to the Oregon Health Plan, their medical needs could easily be met from within their own communities.”
Other veterans groups support the idea. “Allowing disabled veterans to join the Oregon Health Plan would provide a valuable resource for disabled veterans in rural areas,” said Kevin O’Reilly, the government relations director for Oregon Paralyzed Veterans of America. “Many of these veterans have difficulty in accessing health care through the V.A. due to extended travel times. Plus, those with limited incomes can face a huge financial burden meeting travel costs.”
Other states, such as Illinois, provide health insurance programs for certain veterans who have no other form of coverage. Oregon would be the first state to provide a comprehensive medical plan for all disabled veterans.
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SALEM – Oregon State Representative Donna Nelson (R-McMinnville) proposes bold changes to the way Oregon’s disabled veterans receive health care.
“We are now working with the Oregon War Veterans Association to draft a bill that would allow all disabled veterans access to the Oregon Health Plan,” Representative Nelson stated. “Many of our disabled veterans live in rural communities far removed from regional V.A. medical centers. But because these brave men and women are eligible for V.A. benefits, they are denied use of the Oregon Health Plan.”
There are an estimated 40,000 disabled veterans living in Oregon. For many medical procedures, veterans must travel to either the Portland or Roseburg V.A. medical center in order to receive V.A.-funded treatment. Representative Nelson explained, “this proposal would allow those who have sacrificed so much to receive treatment locally, rather than at clinics half-way across the state.”
Greg Warnock, the President of the Oregon War Veterans Association, believes this plan is long overdue. “Veterans living in rural communities have suffered long enough,” said Warnock. “If disabled veterans had access to the Oregon Health Plan, their medical needs could easily be met from within their own communities.”
Other veterans groups support the idea. “Allowing disabled veterans to join the Oregon Health Plan would provide a valuable resource for disabled veterans in rural areas,” said Kevin O’Reilly, the government relations director for Oregon Paralyzed Veterans of America. “Many of these veterans have difficulty in accessing health care through the V.A. due to extended travel times. Plus, those with limited incomes can face a huge financial burden meeting travel costs.”
Other states, such as Illinois, provide health insurance programs for certain veterans who have no other form of coverage. Oregon would be the first state to provide a comprehensive medical plan for all disabled veterans.
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