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Bill would force mediation and arbitration when insurer–provider contract disputes threaten coverage for 30,000 Oregonians
Summary
Supporters described SB 1529 dash-1 as a tool to preserve access after contract breakdowns that left tens of thousands out of network; insurers, providers and business groups warned the threshold, binding arbitration, enforcement authority, and impacts on rates and fragile providers require clarification.
Sen. Deb Patterson and Rep. Paul Evans told the Senate Committee on Health Care that SB 1529 with the dash-1 amendment aims to prevent large-scale disruptions when insurers and providers fail to agree on contracts. The dash-1 amendment would require state-regulated health plans and providers to enter mediation and, if necessary, binding arbitration when contract negotiations create a substantial risk of a coverage gap affecting at least 30,000 Oregonians. The process would include cooling-off periods, statutory selection of mediators and, if unresolved, arbitration overseen by the governor or the governor’s designee.
"We need a tool that can help the folks who are instructed to make the…
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