Welcome OSPA Lobbyists

OSPA is pleased to introduce Deborah Herron and Tom Holt as new lobbyists for our organization.

Deborah Herron joined the Ulum Group in 2005 after more than 10 years in public policy, community and government relations. Her career began on Capitol Hill as a legislative aide to Congressman Bill Clinger. Deborah moved to the West Coast as an independent consultant specializing in political campaigns and communication strategy for corporate, nonprofit and municipal clients. Since 1998 Deborah has directed several successful ballot measure campaigns in Oregon and the Silicon Valley, resulting in voter approval of more than $350 million for local police and fire facilities, schools, libraries, parks, urban renewal districts, an airport expansion and after-school programs.

A 1995 graduate of the University of Mary Washington, Deborah is a member of PRSA and the American Association of Political Consultants. She is past president of the Eugene Relief Nursery board of directors, and volunteers with local children's organizations.

Tom Holt is the President and Government and Public Affairs Director of The Holt Company. Mr. Holt has been a lobbyist in Oregon since 1997, and a public policy communications professional since the mid-1980's. Prior to starting his own government affairs practice, he was a State Government Affairs Manager for Schering-Plough Corporation, a global, research-based pharmaceutical company, covering several Western states. Before Schering, he was executive director of and principal lobbyist for the Oregon State Pharmacy Association, a professional and trade organization.

OSPA Legislative Outcomes
2003-2010

2009

1. SB 575 Allowing PAs to sign for a Two-physician hold.  This bill would allow PAs to be one of the providers in case of emergency hold a patient for psychiatric evaluation.  This bill was supported by the Oregon Medical Association and the Oregon Medical Board.  Several support groups for mental illness were concerned about PAs being one of the providers.  This bill did not move out of committee. 
2. OSPA presented to the Human House Services committee a review of PA law and how PAs function in Oregon versus other states.  Discussion was held on how the ability for PAs to provide medical care in Oregon can be improved.

2007

1. SB 531-amends the Oregon Medical Board (OMB) PA committee make-up to increase the number of PA members to 3 along with 2 physician members.
2. SB 678-places the term and definition of "agent" in the OMB statute in order to clarify the PAs ability to work with an agent physician.
3. HB 2756-allows PAs to be "attending physicians" for 60 days from 1st visit or 18 visits total and will allow 30 days of time loss. Must be certified by Department of Consumer and Business Services.
4. SB 641-allows PAs to sign disability forms for fish and wildlife.
5. SB 676-mandates that insurance carriers reimburse for physician services provided by a PA in all areas of practice.

2005

1. SB 569-remove sunset clause to allow physicians to supervise four PAs and allow PAs to have up to 4 supervising physicians.
2. SB 570-removes the sunset clause to allow PAs to work at additional sites outside of the practice of their supervising physician.
3. Involved with OMA in Tort reform for malpractice.

2003

1. HB 2410 Emergency responder bill-allows PAs and other licensed healthcare practitioners to respond to emergencies.
2. SB 647-allows PAs to prescribe schedule II medications if authorized by supervising physician.
3. SB 648-allows PAs to sign death certificates.