Coordinated Homeless Response Pilots
The Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) and the League of Cities have worked closely in support of HB 4123. The bill establishes locally-led, regional housing coordination through eight pilots across the state, which were selected based on readiness and current homeless response work they are involved in now.
Each pilot will receive $1 million in state funding over two years to operationalize coordinated offices to strengthen their communities’ homeless response. These pilots are not intended to be duplicative of existing work in the community, nor are they intended to take on the role of direct service delivery. The bill includes minimum standards for each pilot. Each pilot will be required to create a plan for sustained funding beyond the two-year pilot and will be charged with creating a plan to address racial disparities within their service area.
These standards provide a basic structure for accountability and the reasonable use of funds, while giving communities the flexibility to model local best practices and create efficiencies in their regional homeless response systems, improving access to resources and services for Oregonians experiencing homelessness. The required coordination with existing community partners, culturally specific organizations, and state and federal systems intends to build on Oregon’s developing homeless response strategy, including critical connections to permanent affordable housing.
HB 4123 was moved unanimously out of its House Committee on Housing to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means (JCWM). The bill was quickly referred to a JCWM subcommittee, where it was scheduled for a work session on February 24.
During its public hearing in the House Committee on Housing, AOC contract lobbyist Sabrina Riggs testified in support of the bill alongside Polk County Commissioner Jeremy Gordon and Lincoln County Commissioner Claire Hall. The bill enjoys a long list of bipartisan, bicameral sponsors, led by Representative Jason Kropf (D-Bend).
SB 1554- After Action Report
AOC voted to support Senator Elizabeth Steiner Hayward (D-Beaverton)’s SB 1554. The bill directs a COVID-19 lookback study by a contractor hired by the Oregon Health Authority, largely focused on public health. AOC contract lobbyist Sabrina Riggs testified in support of the bill on behalf of AOC in the Senate Committee on Health Care, and the bill also received supportive testimony from public health, hospitals, and others.
After being voted out of its policy committee, SB 1554 was sent to JCWM, where it was quickly scheduled for additional action—and the bill was voted out of JCWM to the Senate floor this week.
HB 4035- Redetermination
During the COVID-19 emergency, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) ruled that states were allowed to keep Medicaid enrollees on the state health plans without going through a redetermination process as is normally required to maintain eligibility. When the public health emergency ends, states will need to go through a redetermination process with their Medicaid enrollees. HB 4035 is the vehicle for the policy surrounding these requirements. Legislators and stakeholders are also considering options for roughly 300,000 Oregonians who are estimated to be determined not to qualify for Medicaid, but are still low income.
One option being discussed is a basic health plan/public option. Meetings with stakeholders are ongoing.
Public Health Funding Ask
AOC joins a coalition in support of a $50 million funding ask for public health. This funding request would allow continuation of critical COVID-19 response activities for local public health authorities, federally recognized tribes, the Urban Indian Health Program, and community- based organizations. Of the $50 million, $23 million of the ask would be directed to public health. There is not a policy bill related to this funding request, but conversations between stakeholders and JCWM leadership in the final days of Session are ongoing.
Contributed by: Sabrina Riggs | Contract Lobbyist