Oregon psychologist prescribing bill vetoed
At the urging of the AMA and others, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown vetoed a bill that would have made Oregon the sixth state to allow psychologists to prescribe psychotropic medication and interpret laboratory tests. In a letter to the governor, AMA Executive Vice President and CEO James L. Madara, MD, expressed the AMA's concerns with the legislation, Oregon House Bill 3355.
"While the AMA values the role that psychologists play in our nation's health care system," the proposal "would risk patient safety and expose patients, including children and adolescents, to inadequate health care," Dr. Madara wrote.
This victory would not have been possible without the work of the Oregon Medical Association (OMA) and American Psychiatric Association (APA). The AMA is proud to have partnered with OMA and APA in these efforts, and congratulates them both on their success.
Oregon enacts "tobacco 21" legislation
On Aug. 9, Oregon Gov. Brown signed legislation raising the minimum age for buying tobacco products to 21. Under the new law, individuals under the age of 21 are prohibited from purchasing tobacco products as well as inhalant delivery systems (commonly known as e-cigarettes or vapes). Store clerks who sell these products to people under 21 will face fines ranging from $50 to $1,000.
The AMA supports the passage of laws that set the minimum age for purchasing tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, at 21 years. In 2015, the Institute of Medicine found that increasing the minimum legal age for tobacco products would prevent or delay initiation of tobacco use by adolescents and young adults because they are less likely to be in the same social networks as adults over the age of 21, making it more difficult for them to obtain tobacco products.
In passing the law, Oregon became the fifth state to raise the minimum purchasing age to 21. California, Hawaii, Maine and New Jersey have passed similar legislation. The laws are the result of a nationwide movement to reduce tobacco use by young people.
Texas "bathroom bill" fails in special legislative session
The Texas House of Representatives adjourned special session on Aug. 15 without passing Senate Bill 3, effectively killing the measure. SB 3 would have required people to use restrooms, showers and changing rooms in public schools and other state and local government facilities that match the sex on their birth certificate or driver's license, as opposed to their gender identity. The measure was criticized as being discriminatory against transgender people.
In June, the AMA House of Delegates adopted policy opposing "policies preventing transgender individuals from accessing basic human services and public facilities in line with one's gender identity, including […] the use of restrooms." AMA policy further advocates for the creation of policies that "promote social equality and safe access to basic human services and public facilities for transgender individuals according to one's gender identity."
