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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (July 6, 2017)
NORTHWEST East Oregonian Page 2A Thursday, July 6, 2017 BRIEFLY Health care provider tax gets closer to ballot “sales tax on health care” for people who buy insurance on the individual market. Esquivel voted for the provider tax — the lone Republican to do so and a key vote supplying the required three-fifths majority approval in the House. Esquivel said in a prepared statement Wednesday that although he voted for the provider tax, he was concerned about recent initiatives in health care led by Democrats, such as mandating coverage of repro- ductive health services for Oregon residents, regardless of immigration status. That bill was passed by the Legis- lature Thursday. “I supported (the provider tax bill) because I think those who qualify under the federal law should have a way to see the doctor,” Esquivel said. “It was a hard vote, but it needed to be done. What’s ensued since is a major overreach by the House Democrats to drive new costs and expand programs when we can’t and a 1.5 percent tax on insurers. Taxing providers allows states to draw substantial federal funds to pay for Medicaid. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, all states except Alaska had some kind of provider tax in the 2016 fiscal year. In Oregon, the provider tax is expected to collect more than $600 million in the next two years, and to leverage nearly $1.9 billion in federal funds to pay for Medicaid. Health care providers receive a portion of the total Medicaid funds in exchange for providing care to Medicaid patients. If the petitioners collect the required 58,789 signatures in about three months, the legis- lation will “freeze” and parts of it will not be implemented as planned. The tax on insurers, for example, would not start on Jan. 1, 2018, as the legislation outlines. Parrish is critical of that aspect of the bill, and said Wednesday it amounted to a By CLAIRE WITHYCOMBE Capital Bureau SALEM — Legislation designed to pay for Oregon’s expanded Medicaid program through a tax on providers and insurers got a step closer to the ballot Wednesday. State Rep. Julie Parrish, R-Tualatin/West Linn; Rep. Cedric Hayden, R-Fall River; and Rep. Sal Esquivel, R-Medford, filed paperwork to start collecting signatures to get a tax on health care providers on the ballot. Oregon already assesses certain urban hospitals 5.3 percent of net revenues in order to help pay for the costs of the Oregon Health Plan, the state’s version of Medicaid, the federal program that provides health coverage for the poor and other qualifying groups. Legislation approved last month would continue the assessment, create a “true tax” of .7 percent of net reve- nues, create a new 4 percent assessment on rural hospitals Oregon lawmakers pass controversial abortion bill fully fund programs for our veterans and citizens. That’s not how those tax increases were presented to me.” Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, a Democrat, signed the provider tax legislation Monday. In a statement Wednesday, she called it “critical to protecting the health care coverage of Oregonians and stabilizing the commercial insurance market.” “Any delay would jeopar- dize the care of more than 1 million Oregonians who rely on the Oregon Health Plan, drive up costs of Oregonians who buy their insurance on the individual market, and limit health care options for rural Oregonians,” Brown said. It’s not yet clear when the tax could go to the ballot: the House is scheduled to vote Thursday on when to hold the election. Democrats are pushing for a January election to decide the issue sooner, a move that Parrish opposes. SALEM, (AP) — Insurance companies in Oregon would be required to cover abortions and a variety of other reproductive services at no cost to the patient under a $10 million reproductive health bill approved by the state Legislature. Oregon already has among the most liberal abortion laws in the nation, which are absent of otherwise common requirements for waiting periods or spending limits on taxpayer funds, among others. House Bill 3391 was approved by the Oregon Senate Wednesday in a 17-13 vote along party lines. The bill heads to Gov. Kate Brown. The measure requires reproductive health be covered in all insurance plans at no cost to the patient regardless of income, citizenship status or gender identity. The bill would also allocate almost $500,000 over the next two years to expand cost-free reproductive health coverage, including abortions, to immigrants who are otherwise ineligible for Medicaid. GOP lawmakers launch fight against Oregon’s new health tax SALEM (AP) — Three Republicans in the Oregon House have officially launched an effort to block a multimillion-dollar health care tax to fund Medicaid before it can go into effect. Reps. Julie Parrish, Cedric Hayden and Sal Esquivel filed initial paperwork with state elections officials on Wednesday for a voter referendum on House Bill 2391, which Gov. Kate Brown signed into law Monday. If they can gather nearly 59,000 valid signatures before the bill goes into effect in early October, HB 2391 would be placed on hold until voters can decide its fate at the ballot in November 2018. But Democrats are working to move the vote up to January 2018 instead. The Legislature passed the $670 million tax package on health insurers and providers to sustain coverage for more than 350,000 local Medicaid expansion recipients Rainbow Gathering begins to disperse after July 4 peak National Forest and medi- tated for world peace. The silence was broken when a parade of children in colorful costumes and face paint marched into the center of the circle. “It’s very simple but it’s very moving,” said a Rainbow Family member who gave only the name “Chinkipin,” from Hood By AMANDA PEACHER Oregon Public Broadcasting The highlight of the seven-day Rainbow Family Gathering occurred Tuesday — a mass peace prayer after a morning of silence at the event. Thousands of campers held hands in a grassy meadow in the Malheur River. “This is a constitu- tional right to come here and gather, for the purpose of peaceful assembly, praying for peace.” The pinnacle moment of the event followed tragedy: two deaths at the gathering. One unidentified man had collapsed over the weekend and a second man had a heart attack on Monday evening, according to sources at the event. Law enforcement is conducting investigations into both deaths. The gathering promotes peace, love and acceptance. It continues through Friday. The Forest Service says the gathering is unsanctioned but the agency can do little to stop the thousands of partic- ipants. Seattle cyclist dies in Oregon crash REDMOND (AP) — Authorities say a 32-year-old Seattle woman was killed in a bicycle crash near Redmond, Oregon. KOMO-TV reports 32-year-old Katie Jenks was discovered by passing motorists Wednesday morning near Borden Beck Wildlife Preserve. Redmond authorities responded and declared her dead at the scene. The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office says she was traveling west when she went off the shoulder, suffering fatal injuries. The sheriff’s office says they’ve found no witnesses to the crash and say a vehicle or other obstruction wasn’t involved. The sheriff’s office says there may have been a mechanical issue with her bicycle. She was not wearing a helmet. Any possible witnesses are asked to contact the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office at 541-693-6911. Police identify Oregon man who tried to seize helicopter HILLSBORO (AP) — Authorities in a Portland, Oregon, suburb released the identity Wednesday of a man who they say tried to steal a helicopter at gunpoint before being fatally shot by police. Holden Austin Gorka, 25, had no known address and no known mental health or drug abuse issues, the Hillsboro Police Department said in a statement. An autopsy was completed Tuesday but results of toxi- cology tests won’t be ready for another two to three months, authorities said. The name of the officer copter, but officers arrived before he could take off. The man then ran across a street and into a field, where he was shot. The man died at the scene shortly before noon. No other injuries were reported. Investigators have to yet to establish the man’s motive for trying to steal the helicopter, but authorities said Wednesday that he was not connected to the Hillsboro Aero Academy, the airport’s who fatally shot Gorka will be released Thursday, the statement said. According to authorities, Gorka jumped a fence at the Hillsboro Airport on Monday and held a flight instructor and a student at gunpoint, Gorka firing at least one shot before police showed up. That shot — and possibly a second misfire — were directed away from the victims, who were in the helicopter as it was warming up for takeoff. The man got into the heli- flight-training school. A witness, Christopher Neal, told reporters that he and his family were watching planes at the small airport when he saw a man walking in wearing a gray hoodie. The man looked at them and then started running toward the fence. He pulled a gray mask over his face, Neal said. 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Single copy price: $1 Tuesday through Friday, $1.50 Saturday NEWS • To submit news tips and press releases: • call 541-966-0818 • fax 541-276-8314 • email news@eastoregonian.com • To submit community events, calendar items and Your EO News: email community@eastoregonian.com or call Tammy Malgesini at 541-564-4539 or Renee Struthers in at 541-966-0818. • To submit engagements, weddings and anniversaries: email rstruthers@eastoregonian.com or visit www.eastoregonian. com/community/announcements • To submit a Letter to the Editor: mail to Managing Editor Daniel Wattenburger, 211 S.E. Byers Ave. Pendleton, OR 97801 or email editor@eastoregonian.com. • To submit sports or outdoors information or tips: 541-966-0838 • sports@eastoregonian.com COMMERCIAL PRINTING Production Manager: Mike Jensen 541-215-0824 • mjensen@eastoregonian.com Copyright © 2017, EO Media Group REGIONAL CITIES Forecast TODAY SATURDAY FRIDAY Partly sunny and very hot Sunshine and very warm 100° 68° 98° 61° Very warm with plenty of sun SUNDAY MONDAY Plenty of sunshine Sunny and pleasant PENDLETON TEMPERATURE FORECAST 95° 63° 93° 61° 89° 57° HERMISTON TEMPERATURE FORECAST 102° 64° 104° 69° PENDLETON through 3 p.m. yesterday TEMPERATURE HIGH LOW 99° 86° 107° (2007) 57° 57° 38° (1932) PRECIPITATION 24 hours ending 3 p.m. Month to date Normal month to date Year to date Last year to date Normal year to date 0.00" 0.00" 0.05" 11.30" 6.47" 7.62" HERMISTON through 3 p.m. yesterday TEMPERATURE Yesterday Normals Records HIGH LOW 100° 86° 108° (1968) 59° 57° 42° (2012) PRECIPITATION 24 hours ending 3 p.m. Month to date Normal month to date Year to date Last year to date Normal year to date 0.00" 0.00" 0.04" 6.59" 4.64" 5.74" SUN AND MOON Sunrise today Sunset tonight Moonrise today Moonset today Full Last July 8 July 16 New July 23 96° 64° 92° 60° Seattle 84/58 ALMANAC Yesterday Normals Records 99° 66° 5:13 a.m. 8:47 p.m. 6:42 p.m. 3:35 a.m. First July 30 Today Spokane Wenatchee 98/67 99/70 Tacoma Moses 85/53 Lake Pullman Aberdeen Olympia Yakima 102/64 95/62 68/52 85/52 101/65 Longview Kennewick Walla Walla 83/55 101/72 Lewiston 103/65 Astoria 102/70 66/53 Portland Enterprise Hermiston 88/60 Pendleton 95/56 The Dalles 104/69 100/68 99/68 La Grande Salem 97/61 88/57 Albany Corvallis 88/55 86/54 John Day 99/62 Ontario Eugene Bend 102/64 85/53 94/58 Caldwell Burns 101/61 96/51 Astoria Baker City Bend Brookings Burns Enterprise Eugene Heppner Hermiston John Day Klamath Falls La Grande Meacham Medford Newport North Bend Ontario Pasco Pendleton Portland Redmond Salem Spokane Ukiah Vancouver Walla Walla Yakima Hi 66 95 94 62 96 95 85 97 104 99 91 97 95 99 61 63 102 102 100 88 99 88 98 95 86 101 101 Lo 53 53 58 52 51 56 53 63 69 62 50 61 57 63 52 53 64 63 68 60 55 57 67 54 57 72 65 W pc pc s pc pc pc s s s pc s c pc s pc pc pc s pc s s s s pc s pc s NATIONAL WEATHER TODAY Fri. Hi 66 94 91 64 96 94 82 94 102 96 91 95 93 96 61 63 104 103 98 82 95 83 98 92 80 100 102 Lo 53 53 53 52 52 54 50 57 64 58 52 57 54 61 49 51 68 60 61 56 49 54 65 50 53 67 61 Shown are noon positions of weather systems and precipitation. Temperature bands are highs for the day. W pc s s pc s s s s s s s s s s pc pc s s s s s s s s s s s WORLD CITIES Today Beijing Hong Kong Jerusalem London Mexico City Moscow Paris Rome Seoul Sydney Tokyo Hi 79 87 85 82 72 63 93 88 90 63 82 Lo 71 81 69 63 54 48 68 66 74 45 73 W t t s t pc r t s t s pc Fri. Hi 89 86 84 82 70 59 91 89 81 65 84 Lo 72 81 66 62 56 49 65 67 75 47 74 W pc t s pc t r s s r s pc WINDS Medford 99/63 (in mph) Klamath Falls 91/50 Boardman Pendleton REGIONAL FORECAST Eastern and Central Oregon: Partly sunny and very hot today. A moonlit sky tonight. Sunshine and hot tomorrow. Western Washington: Plenty of sunshine today; however, low clouds followed by sunshine at the coast. Eastern Washington: Mostly sunny today. A moonlit sky tonight. Mostly sunny tomorrow. Cascades: Sunny much of the time today; a passing shower in central parts. Northern California: Low clouds followed by sunshine at the coast today; sunny elsewhere. Friday WSW 8-16 W 7-14 UV INDEX TODAY Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows. Coastal Oregon: Low clouds followed by sunshine today. Increasing clouds tonight. Today WSW 4-8 WNW 4-8 2 5 7 7 5 2 8 a.m. 10 a.m. Noon 2 p.m. 4 p.m. 6 p.m. 0-2, Low 3-5, Moderate 6-7, High; 8-10, Very High; 11+, Extreme The higher the AccuWeather.com UV Index™ num- ber, the greater the need for eye and skin protection. Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2017 -10s -0s showers t-storms 0s 10s rain 20s flurries 30s 40s snow ice 50s 60s cold front 70s 80s 90s 100s warm front stationary front 110s high low National Summary: Storms will dot the Southeastern states as showers dampen New England today. As rain soaks parts of the Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic, storms will blast the Upper Midwest. Most of the West will be dry. Yesterday’s National Extremes: (for the 48 contiguous states) High 117° in Needles, Calif. Low 30° in Aurora, Colo. NATIONAL CITIES Today Albuquerque Atlanta Atlantic City Baltimore Billings Birmingham Boise Boston Charleston, SC Charleston, WV Chicago Cleveland Dallas Denver Detroit El Paso Fairbanks Fargo Honolulu Houston Indianapolis Jacksonville Kansas City Las Vegas Little Rock Los Angeles Hi 97 91 74 78 95 90 100 80 96 80 91 85 92 98 89 99 83 85 86 93 82 94 90 112 88 89 Lo 70 74 69 70 66 74 69 65 77 69 70 69 76 60 69 74 62 58 75 75 69 74 70 90 71 68 W pc pc c r t s pc pc pc t pc pc t pc pc pc pc s sh t pc pc s pc pc pc Fri. Hi 95 87 82 87 95 88 103 71 92 84 83 84 95 90 86 98 78 82 87 93 86 96 86 114 93 96 Lo 70 73 72 70 67 74 69 66 78 67 59 64 76 59 59 75 58 59 74 76 62 75 65 90 74 70 Today W t pc r r s pc s r t pc pc t pc pc t s t s s t t pc pc s s pc Hi Louisville 80 Memphis 87 Miami 91 Milwaukee 86 Minneapolis 92 Nashville 84 New Orleans 89 New York City 78 Oklahoma City 93 Omaha 96 Philadelphia 78 Phoenix 113 Portland, ME 76 Providence 80 Raleigh 94 Rapid City 94 Reno 97 Sacramento 99 St. Louis 89 Salt Lake City 102 San Diego 78 San Francisco 70 Seattle 84 Tucson 108 Washington, DC 81 Wichita 94 Lo 70 73 81 67 66 70 77 66 69 68 70 90 60 64 74 60 66 61 75 74 68 54 58 80 74 69 W r t sh pc t t pc r s s t pc pc pc pc c s s pc pc pc pc s pc t s Fri. Hi 90 92 91 76 82 89 90 80 96 87 85 116 72 75 93 90 99 104 94 103 81 73 78 111 88 95 Lo 69 77 80 60 63 74 77 72 70 65 72 94 58 65 71 60 68 63 69 73 70 54 56 82 75 69 Weather (W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy, c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms, r-rain, sf-snow flurries, sn-snow, i-ice. W t pc pc t s pc t r s pc r s r r c t s s pc s pc pc s t r pc
