Senate committee hears bill to let licensed art therapists obtain provisional licenses and bill Medicaid

The Senate Committee on Health Care opened a public hearing May 1 on House Bill 3,761, which would allow the Health Licensing Office to issue provisional licenses to art therapists who meet specified criteria and require the Oregon Health Authority and coordinated care organizations to reimburse licensed art therapists for behavioral health services provided to Oregon Health Plan members.

Representative Thuy Tran, sponsor of the bill, told the committee the measure is designed “to expand access to mental health care through art therapy.” She said the bill would allow certified art therapists to be reimbursed through…