Committee adopts amendment to expand culturally specific perinatal care, sends SB 692 to Ways and Means

Katie, committee staff, described Senate Bill 692 and the dash-2 amendment during the April 8 work session. "Senate Bill 692 directs the Oregon Health Authority to fund culturally specific perinatal care, expands coverage of doula services for people receiving medical assistance and requires coverage of doula services by private health insurers," Katie said, summarizing the amendment and program elements.

The dash-2 amendment on OLIS directs OHA to establish a community-based perinatal services access program, expands access to doulas, lactation counselors and educators through OHA and coordinated care organizations, and requires OHA to review reimbursement rates in coordination with the Traditional Health Worker Commission. The staff record notes the measure has a fiscal impact and no revenue impact; because of the fiscal effect the bill was referred by prior referral to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means.

Vice Chair Anderson moved to adopt the dash-2 amendment dated April 8, 2025; the motion passed on roll call (Senator Gorsek — Yes; Senator Lythicombe — No; Senator Patterson — Aye; Vice Chair Anderson — Aye; Chair Tara Reynolds — Aye). The committee then voted to advance SB 692, as amended, with a due-pass recommendation and prior referral to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means; the motion passed on roll call and the measure was sent to Ways and Means.

Reynolds thanked a range of stakeholder groups who worked on the measure, including coordinated care organizations, the Children’s Institute and the Black Futures Initiative, and characterized the proposal as a way to reduce disparities in perinatal care access across rural and communities of color. The committee clerk recorded adoption of the amendment and referral to Ways and Means; the work session on SB 692 was closed.