72nd OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2003 Regular Session
 
NOTE:  Matter within  { +  braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within  { -  braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
 { +  braces and plus signs + } .
 
LC 2310
 
                         Senate Bill 392
 
Sponsored by Senator SHIELDS; Senators BROWN, MORRISETTE, C STARR
  (at the request of Oregon Association of Naturopathic
  Physicians)
 
 
                             SUMMARY
 
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure as
introduced.
 
  Creates Alternative Medicine Task Force. Directs task force to
study and make recommendations on health insurance coverage for
alternative health care services.
  Sunsets December 31, 2005.
  Declares emergency, effective September 1, 2003.
 
                        A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to Alternative Medicine Task Force; and declaring an
  emergency.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
  SECTION 1.  { + (1)(a) There is created the Alternative
Medicine Task Force consisting of nine members.
  (b) The President of the Senate shall appoint one member from
among members of the Senate.
  (c) The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint
one member from among members of the House of Representatives.
  (d) The Governor shall appoint five members as follows:
  (A) One member from a professional organization representing
health insurers;
  (B) One member from a professional association representing
Oregon businesses;
  (C) One member from a professional association representing
naturopathic physicians;
  (D) One member from a professional association representing
chiropractic physicians; and
  (E) One member from a professional association representing
acupuncturists.
  (e) The Director of Human Services and the Director of the
Department of Consumer and Business Services shall serve ex
officio as members of the task force.
  (2) The purpose of the task force is to study and make
recommendations on the availability and costs of providing
medical insurance for alternative health care.
  (3) The task force shall:
  (a) Examine the types of insurance coverage available for
alternative health care;
  (b) Examine the cost of providing insurance coverage for
alternative health care;
 
  (c) Develop strategies to expand the opportunities for
alternative health care insurance;
  (d) Develop strategies to expand access to alternative health
care;
  (e) Make recommendations regarding the feasibility of offering
alternative health care coverage, including diagnostic
procedures, in all group health insurance policies; and
  (f) Develop legislation for recommendation to the Seventy-third
Legislative Assembly.
  (4) The task force is subject to the provisions of ORS 171.605
to 171.635 and has the authority contained in ORS 171.505 and
171.510.
  (5) The task force shall use the services of permanent
legislative staff to the greatest extent practicable.
  (6) All agencies of state government, as defined in ORS
174.111, are directed to assist the task force in the performance
of its duties and, to the extent permitted by laws relating to
confidentiality, to furnish such information and advice as the
members of the task force consider necessary to perform their
duties.
  (7) A majority of the members of the task force constitutes a
quorum for the transaction of business.
  (8) Official action by the task force requires the approval of
a majority of the members of the task force.
  (9) The task force shall elect one of its members to serve as
chairperson.
  (10) The task force shall submit its report to the appropriate
committees of the Seventy-third Legislative Assembly with
jurisdiction over human services issues in the manner provided
under ORS 192.245 no later than January 31, 2005.
  (11) The task force may presession file legislation in the
manner provided in ORS 171.130 for interim committees. All
legislation recommended by official action of the task force must
indicate that it is introduced at the request of the task force.
  (12) Members of the task force who are not members of the
Legislative Assembly are not entitled to compensation, but may be
reimbursed for actual and necessary travel and other expenses
incurred by them in the performance of their official duties, in
the manner and amounts provided for in ORS 292.495. Claims for
expenses shall be paid out of funds appropriated to the
Department of Human Services for that purpose. + }
  SECTION 2.  { + Section 1 of this 2003 Act is repealed on
December 31, 2005. + }
  SECTION 3.  { + This 2003 Act being necessary for the immediate
preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency
is declared to exist, and this 2003 Act takes effect September 1,
2003. + }
                         ----------