03/15/2023
VOTE: NO
Signed into law by Gov. Kotek on 7-13-23, effective immediately
Status (overview) of bill:https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023R1/Measures/Overview/HB2002
Compromised Amendment – It is disturbing to most to see that gender-affirming care information was left in HB 2002, but the amendment does bring back the original statute language requiring it to be a crime for concealing the birth of an infant, and allowing a minor the right to needed medical or dental treatment without consent of minor or parent eliminating gender-affirming treatments. However, the controversial section allowing a minor of any age to receive reproductive health care (abortion) information and services is still in the bill (Section 8 (3)). Reproductive health services at college student health centers, the pilot project in rural areas, and the OHA education programs were removed, cutting the cost of the bill to a minimal expense to the state. However, a number of provisions will dramatically affect the cost of health insurance premiums, including gender-affirming treatment retained as a covered benefit, protection for providers covered by malpractice insurance for reproductive or gender-affirming services. Protects out-of-state individual seeking reproductive health care (abortion) or gender-affirming treatment in Oregon.
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This bill greatly expands abortion access in Oregon, limits parental rights, protects abortionists, and punishes those who may stand in the way of someone getting an abortion. It makes gender-affirming treatment a covered insurance benefit. This will raise the cost of health insurance significantly.
Protects providers and individuals receiving reproductive and gender-affirming health care services.
Creates student health reproductive services with same requirements and adds requirement for higher education to provide contraception dispensers and medication abortions.
Provides grants to create a pilot for two federally qualified health centers in underserved areas to provide expanded reproductive health services – is the funding for the Planned Parenthood facility on the Idaho border?
Creates crime of interfering with a health care facility. Punishes by maximum of 364 days’ imprisonment, $6,250 fine, or both. Creates right of action for person or health care provider aggrieved by interference with health care facility. Limits actions and defenses of malpractice insurers based on participating in a reproductive or gender-affirming health care service. Repeals criminal provisions relating to concealing birth. It protects from public records the names of professionals that provide physical and behavioral health care services and who provides reproductive and gender-affirming health care services – how do you access these services without knowing the providers?
This bill expands on legalizes child abuse permiting children to make potentially life altering decisions that they are not mentally or emotionally equipped to make. It also expands on usurping parental authority by not making parental notification mandatory. Without parental notification, there is a distinct possibility that abuse or even sex trafficking could be covered up.
This bill also allows minor children to take abortion drugs without parental notification, possibly putting their health at risk. Medication abortion pills are dangerous with repeated use, and they are already easy to get by high schools girls.
https://northwestobserver.com/index.php?ArticleId=2686
Comments:
Against this bill… to keep information from parents concerning reproduction (abortion) and that on gender changes for teens and health care is wrong and basically kidnapping No one should by law be allowed to administer any surgery, medications (puberty blockers hormones etc.) Without the parents knowledge… nor should the state pay for them! I’m on medicaid and cannot get glasses (frames and lenses) with full eye exam..I can only have a limited exam because of diabetes. This is absolutely discrimination and opposite of equality!