As the repeal of Roe v. Wade heats up in the U.S. Supreme Court, Oregon’s majority party pushed through HB 4034 to make the Reproductive Healthcare Equity Act permanent.

Buried within HB 4034, which adds to what a pharmacy intern can do, allowing a pharmacy to swipe person's driver license for purchasing pseudoephedrine without a prescription to a person who is at least 18 years of age with a valid government-issued photo identification, is the implementation of the Reproductive Health Equity Act of 2017 (RHEA).

Usually, laws that compel health insurance providers to cover particular treatments are automatically repealed after six years. HB 4034 didn’t need to add RHEA because it already made abortions a free medical benefit. Not only did HB 4034 make abortion benefits permanent, but the slap in the face came by adding an “emergency clause” preventing a citizen’s petition from challenging the law by a vote.

HB 4034 also allotted distribution of $2,555,000 General Fund to give Oregon Health Authority more latitude in who receives grants to push their pro-abortion agenda, including schools.

The bill authorizes ten school districts to receive grants for health care centers, and awards up to four grants to school districts or education service districts for mobile school-linked health centers.

Putting health care centers in schools is another way to separate children from parents allowing state to provide treatments without parents' knowledge.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

Abortion first showed up in Oregon law In 2017, HB 3391, in a full court press by Democrats to pass the Reproductive Health Equity Act (RHEA).

The Act expanded health coverage to access free reproductive health services, including abortion, contraceptive options, and experimental or investigational treatments or treatment that do not conform to acceptable and customary standards of medical practices.

Why the urgency to make the RHEA law permanent?

If the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, the decision goes back to individual states.

There are 26 states likely to ban abortions. However, 15 states are taking action to make abortion a legal right by passing laws.

Republicans put forth a motion to withdraw pro-life bills from committees in 2021 in both Houses with HB 2699 and SB 586 that would require an aborted baby born alive to be treated as a viable person.

Democrats voted down both attempts.

HB 4034 is currently awaiting the governor’s signature.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2022-03-20 12:41:46

Last Update: 2022-03-20 15:56:53