Healthcare

Adds new requirements for obtaining an initial license to operate and maintain a hospice program. [ Requires a hospice program to apply for a new initial license after a change in ownership. ] Prohibits individuals who have been excluded from participation in Medicare or Medicaid or have been found liable for fraud or abuse from holding an ownership interest in a hospice program. Requires the Oregon Health Authority to complete rulemaking within 24 months. Subject to exceptions, prohibits the authority from issuing new hospice licenses until rulemaking is complete. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

Requires certain health benefit plans to provide coverage for preventive health services in accordance with federal rules in effect on June 30, 2025, and immunizations recommended by the Public Health Officer in the future. Authorizes the Public Health Officer, or designated physician, to issue a standing order for a prescription to control, prevent, mitigate or treat any infectious or noninfectious disease or other significant public health concern. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

Establishes coverage levels for doula services in the state medical assistance program and for health benefit plans that provide coverage for pregnancy and childbirth expenses. Requires the Oregon Health Authority, coordinated care organizations and health benefit plans that provide coverage for pregnancy and childbirth to provide coverage for services of lactation counselors. Specifies that minimum coverage level modifications for doula services and required coverage for lactation counselor services become operative on January 1, 2028. Directs the Traditional Health Workers Commission to establish a voluntary registration system for lactation counselors. Becomes operative on January 1, 2028. Creates the Oregon Perinatal Collaborative in the Oregon Health and Science University. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

Declares this state's policy to protect engagement in certain activities relating to reproductive health care and gender-affirming treatment. Prohibits cooperation with law enforcement agencies of the federal government or other states in actions involving legally-protected reproductive or gender-affirming health care activities. Modifies provisions regarding interstate actions involving legally-protected reproductive or gender-affirming health care activities. Makes specified records and information confidential. Provides protection from disciplinary action for direct entry midwives who provide reproductive health care and gender-affirming treatment under specified circumstances. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

] Requires the Oregon Health Authority to, no later than June 30, 2027, adopt a uniform process for credentialing [ organizational ] behavioral health providers and [ establish a centralized portal for processing applications ] select an existing electronic credentialing system . Prohibits a coordinated care organization from requiring a behavioral health provider to comply with any additional credentialing procedures. Requires a coordinated care organization to begin using the selected electronic credentialing system no later than July 1, 2027. Requires the authority to minimize unnecessary administrative burden for individual and organizational behavioral health providers who serve medical assistance recipients and to report biennially to the Governor and the Legislative Assembly. Allows certain licensed behavioral health care providers to provide supervision for other behavioral health care providers who hold different license types. [ Provides that the Mental Health Regulatory Agency will provide administrative and regulatory oversight and centralized service for the State Board of Licensed Social Workers. ] Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.