Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that makes a variety of changes to the health care system, primarily the transfer of health care related authority from the Department of Human Services to the Oregon Healthcare Authority, and the creation of the Oregon Health Policy board to form and implement healthcare policy.

Highlights:

-Establishes the Oregon Health Policy board, consisting of nine Governor-appointed and senate-approved members with four-year renewable terms (Sec.1). -Outlines special term lengths for the initial nine members (Sec.2). -Lists required characteristics for membership on the board (Sec.4). -Allows the Governor to select from the membership of the Oregon Health Policy Board the chairperson and vice chairperson (Sec. 5). -Mandates the creation of a Public Health Benefit Purchasers Committee and a Health Care Workforce Committee, and outlines their responsibilities and jurisdictions (Sec.7). -Establishes the Health Care Workforce Strategic Fund within the State Treasury (Sec.7a). -Gives the board the ability to establish advisory and technical committees as necessary (Sec.8). -Outlines the duties of the board, which includes being the policy-making and oversight for the Oregon Health Authority, develop a plan to have all Oregonians insured by 2015, assisting low income individuals, establish standards and guidelines, reduce healthcare costs and to maintain Oregon's healthcare workforce (Sec.9). -Establishes the Oregon Healthcare Authority carry out the policies of the Board, administer various healthcare programs and provide reports to the board (Sec.10) -Requires that The Oregon Health Authority be under the supervision and control of a director, who is appointed by the governor and responsible for the performance and the duties, functions and powers of the authority (Sec. 11). -Outlines requirements for the Oregon Health Policy Board benefit package, including increased home care, reduced cost sharing for certain procedures, incentives for individual participation, and increase costs for elective procedures (Sec.16) -Requires the Oregon Health Authority to consult with the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services to develop a comprehensive plan for the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange, focusing on selection and pricing, rating and underwriting standards, the role of other departments, developing a transition period, enforcing rules, cutting costs for low-income individuals and assistance to small business owners (Sec.17). -Requires The Oregon Health Authority Fund to be established in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund. Interest earned by the Oregon Health Authority Fund shall be credited to the fund (Sec. 18). -Transfers all health and health care duties, functions and powers from the Department of Human Services to the Oregon Health Authority (Sec.19). -Requires the Oregon Health Authority to establish and operate a statewide registry for the collection and dissemination of physician orders for life-sustaining treatment so that individuals' preferences are honored (Sec.1184). -Requires the Administrator of the Office for Oregon Health Policy and Research to establish a program that requires groups to report health care data for various purposes, including determining the maximum capacity and distribution of health care resources and identifying the demands for health care (Sec.1201).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that makes a variety of changes to the health care system, primarily the transfer of health care related authority from the Department of Human Services to the Oregon Healthcare Authority, and the creation of the Oregon Health Policy board to form and implement healthcare policy.

Highlights:

-Establishes the Oregon Health Policy board, consisting of nine Governor appointed and senate-approved members with four year renewable terms (Sec.1). -Outlines special term lengths for the initial nine members (Sec.2). -Lists required characteristics for membership on the board (Sec.4). -Allows the Governor to select from the membership of the Oregon Health Policy Board the chairperson and vice chairperson (Sec. 5). -Mandates the creation of a Public Health Benefit Purchasers Committee and a Health Care Workforce Committee, and outlines their responsibilities and jurisdictions (Sec.7). -Establishes the Health Care Workforce Strategic Fund within the State Treasury (Sec.7a). -Gives the board the ability to establish advisory and technical committees as necessary (Sec.8). -Outlines the duties of the board, which includes being the policy-making and oversight for the Oregon Health Authority, develop a plan to have all Oregonians insured by 2015, assisting low income individuals, establish standards and guidelines, reduce healthcare costs and to maintain Oregon's healthcare workforce (Sec.9). -Establishes the Oregon Healthcare Authority carry out the policies of the Board, administer various healthcare programs and provide reports to the board (Sec.10) -Require that The Oregon Health Authority be under the supervision and control of a director, who is appointed by the governor and responsible for the performance and the duties, functions and powers of the authority (Sec. 11). -Outlines requirements for the Oregon Health Policy Board benefit package, including increased home care, reduced cost sharing for certain procedures, incentives for individual participation, and increase costs for elective procedures (Sec.16) -Requires the Oregon Health Authority to consult with the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services to develop a comprehensive plan for the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange, focusing on selection and pricing, rating and underwriting standards, the role of other departments, developing a transition period, enforcing rules, cutting costs for low-income individuals and assistance to small business owners (Sec.17). -Requires The Oregon Health Authority Fund to be established in the State Treasury, separate and distinct from the General Fund. Interest earned by the Oregon Health Authority Fund shall be credited to the fund (Sec. 18). -Transfers all health and health care duties, functions and powers from the Department of Human Services to the Oregon Health Authority (Sec.19).

Full Bill Text