House Committee adopts amendment to HB 4039, directs OHA rate reporting and moves bill to floor

The House Committee on Healthcare on Feb. 10 adopted the -1 amendment to House Bill 4039, a committee bill that changes how the Oregon Health Authority develops payment rates for coordinated care organizations in the Medicaid program. The amendment, dated Feb. 2, narrows certain requirements and adjusts what the Oregon Health Policy Board must report on preliminary capitation rates.

Committee staff summarized the measure and the Legislative Fiscal Office reported a minimal fiscal impact and no revenue impact. Vice Chair Deel moved to adopt the -1 amendment; the motion was adopted and the committee rescinded the subsequent referral to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means.

After adopting the amendment, Vice Chair Deel moved HB 4039, as amended, to the House floor with a "do pass" recommendation. Staff called roll for the floor referral vote; members recorded as voting yes in the transcript include Representative Harvick, Representative Jafferty and Representative McIntyre; Representatives Munoz and Pham were recorded as excused. The committee carried HB 4039 forward for floor consideration.

The committee chair said the bill would proceed to the floor and signed as carrier. No substantive debate on policy trade-offs was recorded during the work session; staff noted that an independent review requirement and some prohibitions on major OHA initiatives were removed in the posted amendment.

The committee will return for further floor action and possible additional scheduling tasks on Thursday, Feb. 12, per the chair's comments.