In case you missed it: June 26 Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC) on Health and Human Services (Meeting materials, recording, and chat transcript available here soon)
Re-visioning Public Health Modernization
The Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC) to the Oregon Health Authority and the Department of Human Services met with state public health executives on June 26 for an update and discussion of its re-visioning process for public health modernization currently underway. The initial phase identified goals to update general understanding of what governmental public health provides, how partners support it, and the cost of delivering essential public health programs; to clarify public health’s role in broader health system and convene cross-sector partners to discuss opportunities for alignment/coordination; and to explore ways to diversify modernization funding, complementary models for shared service provision, and alternative funding models for Community Based Organizations. Presentation materials note “the effort will ensure we are prepared for the increased demands on public health that will come with funding reductions to other areas of the system.”
The committee also received an update on the West Coast Health Alliance and the status of Oregon’s measles prevention and outbreak response.
New Medicaid sustainability measures to be incorporated into the Governor’s Recommended Budget this fall after stakeholder input
The governor’s Medicaid sustainability workgroup is slated to release its final recommendations after the July 4 holiday weekend. The workgroup was tasked to bring forward recommendations to mitigate the destabilizing effects of H.R.1 on Oregon’s Medicaid enrollment and funding, including an estimated loss of $3.4 billion in federal funds in the 2027-2029 biennium.
Workgroup head Dr. Bruce Goldberg, along with the governor’s Senior Health Advisor Kristina Narayan, will join the July 24 Local Government Advisory Committee to hear feedback from local government partners on the anticipated impact of the forthcoming recommendations.
A public comment period will open after the final report is published.
To be added to the LGAC listserv, email jpratt@oregoncounties.org.
Contributed by: Jessica Pratt | Legislative Affairs Manager