Salem, Oregon-Last week, the Oregon Legislature ended a short session in 2022 with a historic investment in healthcare infrastructure and workforce development.
The Caucus of Legislative Clinicians praises colleagues who have supported these significant investments to support healthcare providers and families throughout the state. Access to Care In this session, the Oregon Legislature made an investment to increase access to healthcare for low-income communities throughout the state.
SB 1529 requires insurance companies to provide three primary care or behavioral medical visits each year at no out-of-pocket costs, and these three visits often cost patients an exorbitant point of service. Eliminate. In 2020, the federal government declared a public health emergency and demanded that the state keep people in Medicaid regardless of changes in income during the emergency. The public health emergency is currently set to end in April 2022, requiring the state to re-determine its current registrant’s Medicaid eligibility.
The HB 4035 sets OHA goals in performing the decision-making process, such as maintaining care continuity and minimizing disruption. We will also create a task force to establish a bridge program that provides affordable health insurance to the people of Medicaid who are at the limit of their eligibility.
Congress also establishes pilot programs for two culturally and linguistically specific mobile health units for individuals who are blacks, indigenous peoples, people of color, or members of the tribe, and who are in the outcome of healthcare. Passed HB4052 aimed at addressing species disparities. This is an important first step in addressing the public health crisis of racism. “I originally ran for office to protect the scope of Medicaid for vulnerable people, increase access to primary care and behavioral care, and become the voice of nurses,” said Rachel Prusak, D. -Westlin) said. “As a nurse practitioner, I see the emotional sacrifices of health insurance making people. I also see the sacrifices that pandemics have made to our nurses. Access to care. We are proud of the work we have done in short sessions to expand and protect health care workers. ”Public health in Oregon has been modernizing its public health system for several years.
SB 1554 studies the public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic through this lens. Independent consultants assess various factors in this response, including resource utilization, coordination of emergency controls with public health systems, implementation of evidence-based practices, public health workforce challenges, epidemiological and capacity issues. To do. The study will be summarized in three reports, with the final report and recommendations closing on September 1, 2023.
The HB 4150 creates a Community Information Exchange (CIE) workgroup to coordinate the provision of physical, mental and social medical services across the state. By implementing a state-wide CIE in Oregon, community-based organizations, state agencies, health systems, county health departments, social services agencies, and technology partners can assess and address social determinants of health. You will be able to coordinate your efforts. “Community information exchange across the state will revolutionize the effective and efficient care of all Oregons,” said Congressman Maxine Dexter (D-NW Portland and Northeast Washington County). “This bill ensures that the research and outreach needed to lay the foundation for a safe, functional and impartial CIE.”
Behavioral Health HB 4045 will fund an existing evidence-based hospital-based violence intervention program, paving the way for Medicaid’s reimbursement for this work. “Community violence is causing great damage to our state and our community. Everywhere in Oregon has been hit by gun violence, suicide and domestic violence,” said Lisa Reynolds. D Portland) said. “By investing in an evidence-based intervention program, we have the opportunity to stop the cycle of trauma and violence.” Congress has also taken action to address public health needs related to substance use and community violence prevention. I did.
HB 4098 will establish an opioid settlement prevention, treatment, and recovery committee within OHA to guide class action settlement revenues from multiple opioid distributors. The labor development COVID-19 pandemic is increasingly stressing the already overloaded healthcare system in Oregon, exacerbating the problems of healthcare staff.
In this session, Congress took action to meet the needs of healthcare professionals and passed HB 4003. This will help meet some of the pressing needs of nurses and the healthcare system and build an Oregon nursing workforce for the future. The bill also expands the scope of emergency nurse licenses, provides nurses with access to mental health support, and creates a licensed nursing student program. This is one step in addressing the labor shortage in nursing.
The Legislature also worked to address staffing issues in behavioral health by passing HB 4004.
The HB 4096 allows out-of-state licensed healthcare professionals to provide voluntary, uncompensated healthcare for up to 30 days in Oregon. This bill will help alleviate staffing issues and allow volunteer healthcare professionals to serve people who may not be otherwise accessible. The Legislature has also approved $ 45 million for the Oregon Health & Science University’s 30-30-30 plan to address the state’s health shortage by 2030. The program aims to increase the number of graduates of the clinical program by 30%, or about 2,000 additional nurses. Within the next 10 years, psychologists, doctor assistants, nutritionists, and public health professionals. This allocation also creates an opportunity fund to increase student diversity to 30% with loan repayments, tuition assistance, and other retention incentives. Dental Oral Hygiene is essential for overall health, but many Oregonians lack access to dental care.
In this session, the Legislature passed HB4095 to establish a Veterans Dental Program that provides dental care to low-income veterans. Currently, the Department of Veterans Affairs offers limited dental benefits and most Veterans are not eligible for dental treatment. The bill provides dental care to low-income veterans, regardless of the status of the Department of Veterans Affairs. “As a dentist, I know how difficult it was for veterans to visit the dental office,” said Congressman Cedric Hayden (R-Roseburg). “We are pleased with Congress’s unanimous support for increasing access to veterans’ oral health needs.” As the COVID-19 pandemic revealed, to ensure the health and safety of our community. Needs a comprehensive approach to addressing the systematic problems of our healthcare system. With these investments in the provider’s workforce, state-wide systems, and risky communities, Oregon is strategically laying the foundation for addressing future medical challenges. “Health policy proposals and budget allocations achieved in 2022 will advance important work across the state, especially for people with mental illness, those with financial instability, BIPOC, and local communities,” Elizabeth said. Senator Steiner Hayward (D Portland) said. ..
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