2024 Legislation

It was a “short session” this year, which means legislators only had 6 weeks to accomplish everything they needed to do for 2024. Here’s a summary of some important legislation in support of increasing access to health care:

The Corporation Practice of Medicine Bill (CPOM) - HB 4130

What it does: Prevents loopholes in existing laws, which are meant to stop medical practices from being controlled by large corporations. It will require licensed physicians to have majority control of medical practices. For more details, click here to read Rep Bowman’s Bill Brief.

Why it matters: Corporations are taking over and controlling our health care system. More and more medical practices are being controlled by corporations with a focus on profits over patient care. This means increased costs to patients, reduced access to care, and reduced quality of care. This landmark legislation will help prevent corporate control of medical practices.

Current Status: Did not pass due to the legislatures early adjournment. The bill passed the House and multiple Senate committee, but the legislature adjourned the day before it was to come to the Senate floor. The bill will be back, and will be strengthened, for the 2025 long session.

Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) - HB 4149

What it does: Requires Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) to be licensed by the Department of Consumer and Business Services, and introduces new rules and regulations that will make it more difficult for PBMs to exploit and take advantage of pharmacies and patients.

Why it matters: PBMs currently serve as a “go-between” between pharmacies and drug manufacturers. The original idea was that the would set fair prices between pharmacies and manufacturers, but they have evolved in to a system that makes drugs more expensive to patients and makes it harder for small, independent pharmacies to survive, all for large profits for the PBMs. The new licensing requirements and regulations will help make pharmaceuticals more affordable and accessible to Oregonians.

Current Status: The bill PASSED! However, with an amendment that diluted the bill. The amended version of the bill doesn’t go far enough in holding Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) accountable to protect pharmacies and patients from predatory PBMs, but the bill is still a move in the right direction. Chair Nosse created a workgroup to help move Oregon towards a solution to the problem of PBMs harming both pharmacies and patients, so we expect to a strong PBM bill in 2025.

School Based Health Centers (SBHCs) - HB 4070

What it does: Strengthens Oregon’s school-based health services to provide and strengthen access to health care, by providing the resources they need. Visit the Oregon School-Based Health Alliance website to learn more.

Why it matters: Oregon currently has at least one school-based health center (SBHCs) in 28 of our 36 counties. These centers provide essential physical, mental, and preventative health services on school campuses. This legislation will provide additional resources to SBHCs to increase access to health care and mental health services.

Current Status: The bill was sitting in the Ways and Means Committee at early adjournment, so it didn’t have time to pass. We hope to see it back next year.

Family Financial Security Act

What it does: LC 54 The Family Financial Protection Act improves Oregon's consumer protection and debt collection laws and holds corporations accountable. It fights unfair debt proceedings, and prevents debt collectors from wiping out someone’s entire bank account by protecting the first $2,500.

Why it matters: Medical debt is a problem across the state. Over 60% of Oregonians who filed for bankruptcy reported medical debt as part of their bankruptcy documentation. By protecting the first $2,500 to prevent a person’s entire bank account from being wiped out, this law helps ensure that Oregonians can meet their basic needs such as food and housing while paying off debt.

Eugene Hospital Closure

What it does: Legislation is being worked on and it’s too soon to tell exactly what it’ll do, but the purpose is to mitigate the harm done by PeaceHealth’s closure of Eugene’s only hospital.

Why it matters: Eugene has no hospital. Residents of Oregon’s 3rd largest city now have to go out of town to Springfield. That means it’s more difficult for patients to access life-saving health care, even when minutes translate to life or death. Ambulance services are overburdened, so emergency medical services can take that much longer to get to patients. Legislation that will help mitigate this damage will save lives.

Funding for Universal Health Plan Governance Board

What it does: Provides the necessary funding for the Universal Health Plan Governance Board to do its work. It will likely be included as part of a broader budget package.

Why it matters: The passage of HB1089 in 2023 was key legislation that created the UHP Governance Board, but it fell short on funding. It was known at the time that the legislature would need to provide additional funding in the 2024 session. Providing this funding is crucial so that the board will have what it needs to research, plan, and design a detailed, publicly funded universal health care system for implementation to start as soon as 2027.

Status: Proponents decided to wait until the 2025 long session. The UHP Governance board has enough funds to continue to build itself up and do the work until the next session, and by waiting until the long session there will be enough time to make sure it gets the funding it needs.