Oregon Health Forum
http://www.healthforum.org/june99.html


Umatilla County blasts managed care

State of Oregon challenges the legality of Umatilla County ordinance.

On May 18, 1999, Umatilla County voters passed a controversial "Patient's Rights Initiative" that would keep insurers from restricting a patient's choice of physician or limiting treatment, punishable by a $1000 fine. The ordinance excludes Medicare, Medicaid, workers' compensation and Umatilla County's employee health programs because they fall under state and federal regulations. Attorney General Hardy Meyers and Department of Consumer and Business Services Director Mike Greenfield announced June 23 that the State of Oregon is seeking to invalidate the ordinance. The lawsuit filed in Umatilla County Circuit Court alleges that state law preempts it. "The State respects the message that Umatilla County residents sent with the passage of Ballot Measure 30-4," Myers said. "However, the local initiative process is not the appropriate forum for adopting this type of law."