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Lawmakers, hospice providers back temporary pause on new hospice licenses to strengthen vetting
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Summary
Sponsors and hospice-sector witnesses told the House Rules Committee that SB 1575 A would pause new hospice licensing while Oregon updates licensure rules, aiming to block operators tied to fraud in other states and protect rural access; supporters urged passage to improve vetting and accountability.
Lawmakers and hospice-sector representatives urged the House Rules Committee to support SB 1575 A, a bill that would temporarily prohibit the Oregon Health Authority from issuing new hospice licenses while the agency updates licensure requirements.
Representative Bobby Levy, sponsor of the measure, said the bill is aimed at ensuring hospice services remain ‘‘about dignity, trust and compassion’’ for patients, particularly in rural communities with limited provider options. ‘‘There needs to be an extra level of scrutiny to make sure that the right organizations with the right priorities are involved,’’ Levy said.
Senator Deb Patterson, who joined the hearing, said rapid expansion by out-of-state corporate operators in other states has led to documented cases of fraud and reduced quality of care, and that Oregon should adopt stronger on-ramps to prevent similar problems here. ‘‘When bad actors take over a local hospice, they maximize profits by reducing staff and services,’’ Patterson said.
Supporters testifying in person and online—including Troy Cribbins, a long-time hospice administrator in Coos Bay; Barb Hansen, RN and CEO of the Oregon Hospice and Palliative Care Association; and Kristen Milligan, CEO of LeadingAge Oregon—said the bill strengthens vetting and helps ensure owners meet basic qualifications. Cribbins said the measure protects small rural providers from workforce dilution and misaligned priorities; Hansen said the bill would ‘‘strengthen the vetting processes done by the Oregon Health Authority before allowing a new hospice provider to serve patients.’'
No formal action was taken on the bill during the committee meeting; the panel closed the public hearing and moved on to the next item on its calendar.
Supporters noted endorsements from state-level associations but did not identify any formal opposition during the brief testimony period.
