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

2024 Legislation summary of important legislation in support of increasing access to health care:

The Corporation Practice of Medicine Bill (CPOM) - HB 4130 of 2024

Status: Did not pass. Passed the House and Senate committees, but never came to the Senate floor. There is plan to bring it back and strengthened for the 2025 long session.

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

Why it matters: 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.

Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) - HB 4149 of 2024

Status: 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. The bill is still a move in the right direction. A workgroup was created to help move Oregon towards a solution to the problem of PBMs. so expect to a strong PBM bill in 2025.

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. PBM's have evolved into 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 goal is to have new licensing requirements and regulations make pharmaceuticals more affordable and accessible to Oregonians.

School Based Health Centers (SBHCs) - HB 4070 of 2024

Status: Did not pass. The bill was sitting in the Ways and Means Committee at adjournment. We hope to see it back next year.

What it did: Would have strengthened 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 would have provided additional resources to SBHCs.

Family Financial Security Act SB 1595 of 2024

Status: PASSED!

What it does: 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. Protects the first $2,500 to prevent a person’s entire bank account from being wiped out. This law helps Oregonians be able to meet their basic needs such as food and housing while paying off debt.

Eugene Hospital Closure HB 4136

Status: PASSED!

What it does: Part of bill addressing nurse licensure. Mitigates the harm done by PeaceHealth’s closure of Eugene’s only hospital in order to save lives.

Why it matters: Eugene has no hospital. Residents of Oregon’s 3rd largest city now have to go to Springfield. 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.

Funding for Universal Health Plan Governance Board

Status: Proponents decided to wait until the 2025 long session. Because of the late start, the UHP Governance board has enough funds to continue to do the work until the next session. Waiting until the long session there will be enough time to make sure it gets the funding it needs.

What it did: Extends the funding for the Universal Health Plan Governance Board to do its work.

Why it mattered: The passage of HB1089 in 2023 was key legislation that created the UHP Governance Board, but it fell short on full 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.