GOP Delays Vote On Ore. Health Exchange Bill

JONATHAN J. COOPER

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Republicans put the brakes on a second of Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber's health initiatives Monday, delaying a vote on a widely-supported bill that would create an insurance marketplace for individuals and small businesses.

Democrats accused the GOP of playing politics with a bill that has broad support and is likely to eventually pass — a bid, Democrats say, to use the measure as a bargaining chip that can be traded for Republican priorities.

Republicans in the state House, with the support of Democratic Rep. Mike Schaufler, narrowly voted to send the measure to the Ways and Means Committee, which oversees the budget. Republicans dismiss allegations of political maneuvering, saying they support the bill but want to double check to ensure it won't negatively affect the budget.

The move in the House follows similar maneuvering in the Senate, where one Democratic senator has joined all 14 Republicans to hold up another bill enacting Kitzhaber's plan to redesign the health care delivery system. Those lawmakers say they want limits on medical malpractice judgments.

The measure would create a marketplace, called an insurance exchange, for individuals and small business owners to shop for health insurance and compare plans. It's funded with a grant from the federal government and is expected to be self-sustaining after it becomes operational.

House co-Speaker Bruce Hanna, R-Roseburg, said Republicans want to be sure there's no gap between the expiration of the federal money and the time the exchange can be self-sufficient.

"We need to move this bill forward, but there are a few things that need to be addressed," Hanna said.

Democrats didn't believe that argument, saying the bill passed out of a committee with unanimous, bipartisan support.

"Unfortunately, I think we're getting back in the realm of political gamesmanship rather than doing what's right for the state of Oregon," said Rep. Peter Buckley, D-Ashland.

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