After the passing of a key deadline, the number of health & human services bills have been whittled down significantly. AOC continues to watch a handful of mental health bills and work on a few key public health issues. But now is when the focus shifts heavily to the budget discussion. The co-chairs of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means recently released their updated budget framework and there are a number of concerning cuts proposed to human services outlined below.

Senate Bill (SB) 235-A & SB 998: SB 998 was an alternative to tobacco retail licensure that would have created a statewide registry of retailers. The bill included a $25 fee for registering, paid to the Department of Revenue and had an incredibly far-reaching preemption on local governments’ ability to enact ordinances regarding tobacco regulation. The bill did not move out of committee. SB 235, which was the original tobacco retail licensure bill this session, was amended with a gut-and-stuff that replaced the measure. SB 235-A now simply modifies rules regarding the Indoor Clean Air Act and the definition of “enclosed space.” Latest action: Sent to Rules with a do-pass recommendation. AOC has been neutral on tobacco retail licensure, though we opposed SB 998 due to the preemption.

SB 307: This bill would allow social consumption of cannabis. Sen. Ferrioli has been convening a work group, of which AOC has been a part. The most recent version of the language would allow cities and counties to opt-in to allow for fixed locations with outdoor smoking areas that meet current Indoor Clean Air Act regulations to receive a license for on-site consumption of cannabis via inhalation. Latest action: Public hearing on 2/14/17. Because the bill is in a joint committee, it is not subject to normal deadlines and is still alive. AOC opposes the bill.

SB 368: Creates a new definition for individuals that are in the custody of a local juvenile justice system. Requires commercial insurance carriers to reimburse a local municipality for the cost of medical services provided to an insured juvenile in a detention facility. Requires insurance carriers to accept credentials of a health care provider who is an employee or contractor of a detention facility, unless insurer provides written notice. Latest action: Passed out of the Senate on March 29, 2017 by 29-0 vote. Referred to House Judiciary Committee. AOC supports the bill.

SB 754-A: Increases from 18 to 21 years old the minimum age to purchase and possess tobacco and nicotine products. Establishes a set of fines ranging from $250-$1,000 for individuals or businesses that distribute or sell tobacco-related products or inhalant delivery systems to persons under 21 years of age. Modifies statutory definition of cigarettes to include inhalant devices and products not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Expands the types of facilities not permitted to allow a person under 21 years of age to possess tobacco or inhalant delivery systems when on facility grounds to include colleges, community colleges, universities, career schools and technical education schools. Applies to conduct occurring on or after January 1, 2018. Scheduled action: Public hearing and possible work session on April 24, 2017 in House Health Care. AOC supports the bill.

SB 944-A: Establishes Youth Acute Behavioral Health Leadership Council (Council) to develop proposal for centralized coordination of youth behavioral health services and report to Legislative Assembly by October 1, 2018. Requires Governor to appoint Behavioral Health Policy Advisor to coordinate state behavioral health services. Directs Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to contract for 24-hour call center related to placement of youth needing high acuity behavioral health services. Sunsets January 2, 2021. The current bill is a gut-and-stuff of the original. The Council does not include agency staff or input, which is concerning. Latest action: Referred to Ways & Means without recommendation. AOC does not have a position on the bill.

HB 2122-A: Requires that a new or an existing coordinated care organization (CCO) that transfers ownership must have 501(c)(3) status and that the governing body’s meetings are subject to public meeting laws. Directs CCOs to expend all earnings that exceed the financial requirements on services to address health disparities and social determinants of health that are outlined in the CCOs community health improvement plan. Latest action: Passed out of committee. Referral to Ways & Means rescinded. AOC opposes this bill.

HB 2310-A: Modifies provisions regarding schedule by which local public health authorities must submit local plans for applying foundational public health capabilities and implementing foundational public health programs. Clarifies funding formula and process by which counties may relinquish local public health authority responsibilities. Latest action: Referred to Ways & Means with a do-pass recommendation. AOC supports the amended bill.

HB 3090-A: Defines “behavioral health crisis” and “lethal means counseling” and adds to current health facilities statutes (ORS 441.015 to 441.063). Requires hospitals to provide Oregon Health Authority (OHA) with the discharge policy. Directs OHA to compile and study the information no later than January 1, 2018 and report to the appropriate Legislative Assembly interim committees by January 1, 2018. Latest action: Passed out of committee. AOC does not have a position on this bill.

HB 3091-A: Defines “behavioral health assessment,” “behavioral health clinician” and “behavioral health crisis.” Adds behavioral health crisis to list of emergency medical conditions and behavioral health assessment to list of emergency services. Requires the coordinated care organizations and commercial health insurers to provide specific services to individuals experiencing behavioral health crises. Latest action: Passed out of committee. AOC does not have a position on this bill.

Budget Updates – Co-Chairs’ Proposed Reductions to Health & Human Services impacting counties:

  • Decrease funding to community mental health ($20.5 million).
  • Decrease funding to community mental health for residential development ($1 million reduction).
  • Decrease funding to public health for tobacco cessation programs ($3.6 million reduction).
  • Decrease public health funding for school-based health centers and Babies First home visiting program ($3.5 million reduction).
  • Narrow eligibility for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities support ($28.7 million reduction).
  • Cut regional staff support for Community Developmental Disability Programs, reducing crisis support ($4.8 million reduction).
  • Decrease workload staffing from 95 percent to 91 percent for brokerages and Community Developmental Disability Programs ($3.5 million reduction).
  • Eliminate live-in care program for seniors by shifting to in-home hourly care ($20.8 million reduction).
  • Eliminate Oregon Project Independence for younger people and cut program for seniors ($16 million reduction).
  • Ten percent reduction to Health Families home visiting program under Early Learning Hubs – affecting approximately 250 families ($2.5 million reduction).
  • Twenty percent reduction to Early Learning Hubs and Kindergarten Partnership & Innovation grants ($5.3 million reduction).
  • Reduce CCO inflation to 2.8 percent per year for 18 months, reduce CCO admin funding, and reduce inflation on fee-for-service for Oregon Health Plan ($42.3 million reduction).
  • Eliminate remainder of CCO inflation for 18 months and eliminate inflation on community mental health and addictions funding ($89.6 million reduction).
  • Maintain current Oregon State Hospital capacity ($39.2 million savings).
  • Close Junction City campus of Oregon State Hospital in July 2018 and close one ward in Salem ($46.5 million reduction).
  • Supplant General Fund investments in addictions and prevention and treatment services with marijuana revenue ($46.4 million cost-shift).
  • No longer cover dental or addiction services through OHP, as well as eliminating 50-other currently covered services ($131 million reduction).
  • No longer cover ACA expansion population, leaving about 350,000 adults without insurance; would result in loss of about $5 billion in matching funds ($256 million reduction).

Contributed by: Stacy Michaelson | AOC Health & Human Services Policy Manager