Health care reform dominated the 2009 Oregon legislative session.

OPCA and its members and partners played a critical role in passing this much-needed legislation. 

Perhaps the most important bills passed by the legislature were HB 2009 and HB 2116.  These bills launch a sweeping health care reform effort and generate the state resources needed to leverage more than $1 billion in federal funding for the first major expansion of the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) in more than a decade.

 The expansion will mean coverage for:

· 80,000 more children.

· 35,000 more adults on OHP Standard.

· Up to 70,000 additional adults eligible for OHP Plus.

· 9,000 or more adults through the Family Health Insurance Assistance Program.

The bills also emphasize the need to channel Oregonians through cost-effective delivery systems (i.e., primary care homes) that are patient-centered and lead to better health.

Both bills contained language and suggestions submitted over the past several years by OPCA and its members.

The wrapup edition of our Weekly Legislative Update is now available.  It summarizes the major accomplishments of the session.