Bill 104, introduced by Senator Bill Fisher at the request of the OMA, establishes an Advisory Committee on Privacy of Medical Information and Records. The committee will study the relationship between the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 and state information privacy laws. The Committee is required to report its findings and recommend changes to state laws to ensure compliance with federal laws to the next legislature. The bill became effective June 5. Genetic Privacy Senate Bill 114 imposes civil penalties for violations of genetic privacy, and creates criminal penalties for unlawfully obtaining, retaining, or disclosing genetic information.
Protection is extended to blood relatives of individuals from whom genetic information was obtained.
Senate Bill 114 also establishes the Advisory Committee on Genetic Privacy and Research, which shall study and report its recommendations to the 72 nd Legislative Assembly on such items as the patenting of human genes, the privacy of information about genetic conditions obtained by means other than through a genetic test, standards for re-contacting patients who have provided samples for genetic research, and privacy of persons who seek genetic counseling or genetic testing. The bill has been signed by the Governor and became effective upon its passage on June 25. A Patient Prescription Drug Assistance Program to help low-income Oregonians get prescription drugs and a Senior Prescription Drug Assistance Program were established, but not directly funded by Senate Bill 9. Patient Protection Act Legislation House Bill 3040 establishes an independent review process for managed care organizations. HB 3040 further provides that if an insurer does not agree to be bound by the decision of an independent review organization, the insured has a private right of action for damages suffered due to the adverse decision by the insurer.