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4A THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 2018 Governor signs drug price transparency bill By PARIS ACHEN Capital Bureau Gov. Kate Brown has signed into law a bill that requires pharmaceutical manufacturers to publicly disclose reasons for steep increases in drug prices. Several other states, includ- ing California, have taken sim- ilar measures as the prices of drugs have skyrocketed with- out an apparent reason. House Bill 4005 won bipar- tisan sponsorship and over- whelming support in both the state House and Senate. “Every Oregonian should be able to access the medica- tions and treatments that allow them to live healthy, productive lives,” Brown said in a state- ment Tuesday. “This bill brings greater transparency around drug pricing, an important step towards making lifesaving and essential drugs more available and affordable.” When the price of a prescrip- tion drug increases greater than 10 percent, the bill requires the manufacturer to report the rea- sons to the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services, including informa- tion related to the cost of pro- duction, advertising, marketing and research. The manufacturer also must disclose their prof- its from the drug and whether generic alternatives are avail- able. Manufacturers face civil penalties of up to $10,000 per day for noncompliance. The deadline for the first report is July 1, 2019. Under the new law, the con- sumer services department is required to publicly post a list of the drugs that have had high price increases, hold annual public meetings about prescrip- tion drug prices and make rec- ommendations to the state Leg- islature for additional measures to curb drug prices. Insurance companies also are required to report the 25 most expensive prescription drugs in their plans, which ones have increased the most and how those costs affect premiums. With federal inaction on drug prices, several other states have enacted laws to moni- tor drug prices and enhance transparency around pricing. Among them are California, Maryland, Nevada, New York and Vermont, according to a report by the Washington Post. About a dozen other state legislatures are considering or debating variations of drug transparency measures, accord- ing to the website Policy and Medicine. Between 2013 and 2015, national spending on prescrip- tion drugs increased by about 20 percent and accounted for an estimated 17 percent of health care spending, accord- ing to researched published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Unlike most industrial countries, the United States does not negotiate the price of prescription drugs with man- ufacturers. As a result, Ameri- cans pay more for most drugs. “Too many people in our community are making hard choices between paying for medications or food and rent,” said Vida resident Nancy Ple- mons, a patient who testified in support of the Oregon bill. “Patients like me appreciate the support of Gov. Brown and lawmakers from both sides of the aisle who worked so hard to get this bill passed for Ore- gonians who are grappling with the ever-increasing price of prescription drugs.” The bill was sponsored by state Rep. Rob Nosse, D-Port- land, Rep. Ron Noble, R-Mc- Minnville, Sen. Dennis Lin- thicum, R-Klamath Falls, and Sen. Lee Beyer, D-Springfield. Consult a Endowment: ‘We just want to help’ PROFESSIONAL Continued from Page 1A Endowment funds are investments used by universi- ties, nonprofits, churches, hos- pitals and other groups to support operations. Groups commonly spend the interest earned from the investments, leaving the capital in perpetuity. CMH Auxiliary, a service group formed more than 60 years ago to support the hos- pital, donated a $500,000 life insurance policy to start the endowment campaign. The policy will be written to a what the auxiliary does. younger physician at the hospi- “It’s the future of our health tal, and the auxiliary group will care,” Gibson said of the pay the premiums. endowment. The auxiliary group “The more money has also promised to you have in the endow- ment, the more you contribute $500,000 in can fund the future,” $50,000 annual pay- ments once the foun- Cowden said. dation raises $4 mil- Auxiliary volun- teers staff lobbies at lion from other donors. Terri Terri Gibson, head the hospital to direct Gibson of the auxiliary group, visitors to their friends said it is hoping to sup- and family and run a port the hospital’s mission and gift shop. The group provides bring more awareness about baby baskets, blanket warm- ers, specialty chairs, children’s activity bags, exercise equip- ment, cough pillows for sur- gery patients and scholarships for Clatsop Community Col- lege nursing students. Between 2008 to 2015, the auxiliary bought more than $100,000 in specialty equip- ment for the hospital. In 2015, the group donated $25,000 to the capital campaign for the Knight Cancer Collaborative. “We have a servant atti- tude,” Gibson said. “We just want to help.” Ilwaco: ‘There’s no silver bullet here’ Continued from Page 1A The New Pacific Hard- woods mill in Raymond’s Port of Willapa Harbor closed in 2017. Now, the state plans to invest $1.5 million to retrofit and reopen the alder sawmill. During the first phase of the project, the state will provide $553,000 to help with startup costs, $500,000 for a new small log system and $345,000 to debt-secure the mill. In the second phase, the state will provide a $100,000 grant to help port officials and the Evergreen State College Center for Sustainable Infra- structure research the possibil- ity of starting an energy inno- vation district. “Essentially, an energy innovation district allows com- panies to reduce energy costs and energy waste by sharing energy,” Department of Nat- ural Resources spokesman Carlo Davis explained. The facilities can also help com- panies find ways to use one another’s waste streams to cre- ate new products. “Clustering related indus- try together makes this sharing possible,” he said. The Department of Nat- ural Resources estimates the mill, which is slated to open in 2019, could make about $9.5 million in log purchases annu- ally. It would create about 49 jobs and around $2.1 million in wages and generate $98,000 in taxes annually, according to state estimates. ral Resources, which manages a significant amount of acre- age in Willapa Bay, identify unused tidelands that could be made available to affected oys- ter farmers. Most of the money — $950,000 — comes from the state Legislature’s supplemen- tal budget. The Department of Natural Resources is contrib- uting $65,000 and the Depart- ment of Agriculture is chip- ping in $50,000. The work will be carried out by state staff and the University of Washington Sea Grant research program with assistance from local oys- ter growers. “There’s no silver bullet here,” Franz said in a press release. “It’s a mucky situation but, as the manager of signif- icant tidelands in the area and a landlord for many lessees, we’re wading in. We’ve got to explore all options — there are too many livelihoods at risk and communities on the brink not to.” Ken Wiegardt, president Shipbreaking in Ilwaco By 2020, the Port of Ilwaco could be home to a new ship- breaking facility that would specialize in dismantling and disposing of derelict vessels. In the recently-approved sup- plemental budget, the Legis- lature committed $950,000 for the derelict vessel facility and other work in the port. The investment includes $600,000 M ARCH 29 for building an enclosed decon- struction facility, $250,000 to replace the port’s stormwater system and $100,000 for pav- ing and regrading work that will help protect water quality. According to Port Man- ager Guy Glenn Jr., the port is in talks with a private part- ner, West Coast Vessel Recy- cling, LLC. The state Depart- ment of Ecology, Washington Public Ports Association and the Association of Washing- ton Cities’ Center for Quality Communities would also be involved in the project. According to the Depart- ment of Natural Resources, there are around 150 vessels in the state that are candidates for recycling. The facility would create an estimated 15 jobs. Franz said the state has a “tremendous” problem with derelict boats. The new facility, she said, would be an exam- ple of “taking a challenge and turning it into an opportunity” that would benefit the local economy and the environment. have cavities. Why should they be filled if they are just going to fall out in a few years? JEFFREY M. LEINASSAR DMD, FAGD 503/325-0310 1414 MARINE DRIVE, ASTORIA www.smileastoria.com Dr. Robert Pyle the development of the dental jaw and forming permanent teeth. Baby teeth not only give the child chewing function, cute esthetics, but also serve an import- ant role in the jaw formation. Premature loss of primary teeth can adversely affect the jaw growth, position and timing of the eruption of permanent teeth, and if badly decayed or infected be a source of pain, sickness, and risk to other teeth. Please have your dentist evaluate your child’s “baby teeth”. have a Medicare Q: I Supplement plan but do not take any prescription medications. Do I need to purchase a Part D prescription plan? Steve Putman Medicare Products 503-440-1076 Licensed in Oregon and Washington putmanagency@gmail.com as a Medicare recipient you A: Yes, are required to have creditable prescription drug coverage whether you take prescriptions or not, unless you have a prescription plan from some other source such as an employer plan. If you go more than 63 consecutive days after becoming eligible for Medi- care without a plan, you may have to pay a penalty on top of any premium. Call me for more information. can I share work Q: How (time cards, photos, documents) with people in various locations? LEO FINZI Astorias A: Dropbox, Microsoft (OneDrive) Google let you to share and edit Best.com and files anywhere with internet access. Dropbox - 2 GB is free, 1 TB is $99/ yr. Unlimited is $199/yr. M-F 10-6 Sat . 11-4 77 11th Street, Suite H Astoria, OR 503-325-2300 yr.* 5 TB is $99/yr.** Includes Word, Excel & Power Point for * 1 computer or ** 5 computers. Q: Are chiropractors real doctors? A Columbia Forum Presentation One of the Pacifi c Northwest’s most acclaimed nature writers, Dr. Robert Michael Pyle of Grays River, Washington, is a lighthearted, insightful and amusing speaker on topics ranging from Bigfoot to butterfl ies. He literally wrote the book on both topics, and is the author of “The Butterfl ies of Cascadia,” the comprehensive fi eld guide to all the species of Oregon and Washington. A graduate of the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, Pyle’s 1987 book, “Wintergreen” won the John Burroughs Medal for its insights about how industrial forestry damaged the land, waters and people of the Willapa Hills of Southwest Washington. He and his Wahkiakum County neighbor Krist Novoselic, co-founder of the legendary rock group Nirvana, are currently collaborating on a mélange of acoustic guitar music and poetry. TO ATTEND: teeth are very import- A: Children’s ant to the health of the child and G ot a question ? Google - 15 GB is free, 100 GB is W e are Glad $20/yr. 1 TB is $99/yr. to help . Microsoft - 5GB is free, 1 TB is $69/ TH Acclaimed Nature Writer ‘Ghost shrimp’ An estimated 25 percent of all U.S. oysters are grown in the region, making the shellfish industry a critical part of the local economy. However, the continued proliferation of bur- rowing shrimp — often called “ghost shrimp” — is rapidly turning prime oyster-growing land into a muddy wasteland. The shrimp soften the ground, making it impossible for oys- ters to grow. The Washington Depart- ment of Ecology has been con- sidering whether to let oyster growers spray the shrimp with pesticide, but have been widely expected to decline to issue a permit. The prospect this could begin putting Willapa oyster operations out of business set off a behind-the-scenes scram- ble at the just-concluded leg- islative session to find viable alternatives to spraying. Shellfish growers and researchers have already tried dozens of strategies for check- ing shrimp populations with little success. Starting this year, the $1 million investment will pay for research on new shrimp-con- trol techniques. It will also help the Department of Natu- of the Willapa Grays Har- bor Oyster Growers Associ- ation, expressed appreciation for the state’s new emphasis on helping. “The shellfish industry is the largest private employer in rural Pacific County,” Wie- gardt said. “Dramatic increases in burrowing shrimp popula- tions threaten the environment and economies in southwest Washington. This new partner- ship has the potential to bene- fit the many residents of Grays Harbor and Pacific County whose livelihoods depend on these jobs.” Q: My child’s baby teeth like all other doctors, A: Yes, we undergo four years of ASTORIA CHIROPRACTIC Barry Sears, D.C. 503-325-3311 2935 Marine Drive Astoria, Oregon Q: I’m going out of LIMI SEAT TED RESER ING V For Members: Dinner & Lecture: $25 each; Lecture only: no charge SPACE E YOUR TODA Y! For Non-Members: Dinner & Lecture: $35 each; Lecture only: $15 ea. Appetizers will be available at 6 p.m. • Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. The speaker will begin after the dinner service is complete and non-dinner members and guests of the audience take their seats. Forum to be held at the CMH Community Center at 2021 Exchange St., Astoria. ColumbiaForum town and need to stop my paper. what are my options? T HE D AILY A STORIAN FOR RESERVATIONS OR TO JOIN COLUMBIA FORUM CONTACT: Holly Larkins at 503.325.3211 ext. 227 or hlarkins@dailyastorian.com by March 27, 2018 Columbia Forum is sponsored by: The Daily Astorian • Craft3 • OSU Seafood Laboratory • KMUN-FM Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa graduate school including two years of life science and 2 years of clinical sciences with an internship. The degree conferred after successful completion of schooling is a D.C. or DOCTOR OF CHIROPRACTIC. We are also called chiropractic physicians. Yearly continuing education is required to keep skills up. Our approach is to find the simplest solution with the fewest tests. We are happy to accept new patients. 949 E XCHANGE S TREET A STORIA 503-325-3211 WWW . DAILYASTORIAN . COM are two options for A: There you if you are heading out of town. First, we can save your papers in a vacation pack and deliver them when you return, or we can switch you to a Web subscription while you are away and you can read the paper online. Whichever option fi ts your needs, just call us at 503-325-3211 and we will take care of it for you.