Several bills to fill the approximately $800 million gap in Medicaid funding have been introduced and are gaining traction in the Legislature. HB 2010 was the first bill to pass both chambers and will result in around $463 million in new revenue through an insurance premium tax at two percent, plus a stop loss assessment and an increase in the hospital assessment from 5.3 percent to six percent.  Other proposals to fill the rest of the gap are an increase in the tobacco tax (HB 2270) a referral to the voters is anticipated on this tax and (HB 3262) an employer assessment for large employers with employees that receive certain public assistance. Each of these funding options were proposed in the Governor’s recommended budget and brought forth through a work group process over the interim. Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) took a position of support on HB 2270.

Contributed by: Megan Chuinard | Public Affairs Associate