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Subcommittee advances bill to create "rural emergency hospital" license, sends it to full committee
Summary
A Legislative Fiscal Office analyst told the Ways and Means Human Services subcommittee that House Bill 4047 would allow hospitals to seek a new "rural emergency hospital" license and direct the Oregon Health Authority to set a licensing fee; the subcommittee approved the LFO recommendation and sent the bill to the full committee.
The Ways and Means Human Services subcommittee moved House Bill 4047 to the full Ways and Means Committee on voice vote after the Legislative Fiscal Office recommended doing so.
A Legislative Fiscal Office analyst told the subcommittee, "The measure authorizes hospitals to apply for licensure as a rural emergency hospital and directs the Oregon Health Authority to establish and assess a licensing fee for this new designation." The analyst said any additional staffing or resources required to administer the program would be funded through fee revenue and that the measure is expected to have a minimal fiscal impact on the Oregon Health Authority.
The chair asked for a motion after the LFO presentation; a committee member said, "I move the LFO recommendation." The chair called for objections, heard none, and declared the motion passed by voice. The chair said the bill "makes its way over to the full Ways and Means Committee." Representative Diehl was designated to carry the bill on the House floor and Senator Linthicum was suggested for the Senate floor (members said they would confirm with Senator Linthicum or Senator Hayden).
Why it matters: the bill would create a new licensing pathway intended for rural hospitals and authorize OHA to collect fees to support program administration, which could change how small hospitals are regulated and funded in areas with limited access to full hospital services.
No dollar totals or vendor names were provided at the subcommittee hearing; LFO characterized fiscal effects as minimal and identified fee revenue as the anticipated funding source for administrative costs. The committee did not record a roll-call vote; members approved the LFO recommendation by voice and the bill will next be scheduled for consideration by the full Ways and Means Committee.
