Subcommittee forwards bill to broaden partners in community health improvement plans

Cochair Valderrama opened the subcommittee's second work session on May 27 and called up House Bill 2208, a measure related to community health improvement plans.

Soskie summarized the bill: “Currently, coordinated care organizations are required to collaborate with local public health authorities and hospitals when conducting a community health assessment and adopting community health improvement plans. This measure broadens that collaboration by including community mental health programs and local planning committees related to alcohol and drug prevention and treatment services.”

Soskie said the bill also requires coordinated care organizations, local public health authorities and community mental health programs to incorporate their behavioral health plans into the community mental health improvement plan and that the Oregon Health Authority must adopt rules to align the new requirements with existing plans and reporting obligations. The measure was described in the transcript as anticipated to have a minimal fiscal impact on the Oregon Health Authority and no fiscal impact on counties.

A motion was made and carried with no objections recorded in the transcript to move HB 2208 to the Ways and Means full committee with a due-pass recommendation. The subcommittee also noted the removal of Senate Bill 1137 from the agenda because of an LC clerical error; members said SB 1137 may return after a clerical fix and a minor definition change.

Discussion in this item focused on the bill's scope—adding community mental health programs and alcohol and drug planning committees—and on the need for OHA rulemaking to align reporting; no public testimony or roll-call votes are recorded in the transcript. HB 2208 will proceed to the Ways and Means full committee for further consideration.