Oregon legislators advance disability services and healthcare safety bills

The Joint Committee on Ways and Means of the Oregon Legislature convened on June 17, 2025, to discuss several significant legislative measures impacting health and human services. Key topics included proposed amendments to bills concerning disability services, hospital discharge processes, professional licensing, workplace safety in healthcare, and prescription drug coverage.

One of the primary discussions centered on Senate Bill 136, which authorizes the Department of Human Services (DHS) to revoke the licenses of disability service providers under specific conditions, such as denying access to facilities or manipulating records. The bill allows for a 12-month revocation for initial offenses and extends to 36 months for serious failures leading to harm or death. The subcommittee recommended amendments to the bill and allocated approximately $960,468 in funding for its implementation.

Senate Bill 296A was also reviewed, focusing on improving hospital discharge processes. This measure mandates collaboration among DHS, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), and the Housing and Community Services Department to enhance eligibility determinations for long-term care services. It includes the creation of a dashboard to track processing times and requires OHA to provide extended benefits to Medicaid recipients post-hospitalization. The bill's funding was increased by $8.5 million, with specific allocations for both DHS and OHA.

Another significant topic was Senate Bill 476, which expands training requirements for professional licensing boards and introduces provisional licenses for internationally trained physicians. This bill aims to ensure that staff interacting with internationally educated individuals receive culturally responsive training.

Senate Bill 537 addresses workplace violence in healthcare settings, requiring employers to develop comprehensive safety programs and collaborate with safety committees. It mandates annual reporting to the legislature on workplace assaults and safety recommendations, with additional funding allocated to ensure compliance with safety requirements.

Lastly, Senate Bill 598 focuses on prescription drug coverage, requiring healthcare providers to include at least one clinically appropriate non-opioid drug for every opioid prescription, ensuring that coverage for non-opioid drugs is not more restrictive.

The committee's recommendations for amendments to these bills were passed without objection, indicating a strong consensus on the need for these legislative changes to enhance health and safety standards in Oregon.