Signed by Governor Tina Kotek

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

A vote to pass a bill to establish the universal health plan governance board

Highlights:

• Establishes the Universal health Plan Governance board under the Department of Consumer and Business services with a nine person board Appointed by the governor (Sec. 1). 

• Requires 5 board members to have expertise in the healthcare industry (Sec. 1). 

• Requires 4 board members to have a focus in public engagement (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that the terms of the office of each member of the board is 4 years but they serve at the pleasure of the governor of Oregon (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that members are confirmed by the senate (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that members of the board shall be entitled to compensation and reimbursement for travel expenses (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that the board shall select a chairperson and vice-chair (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that a majority of the members of the board constitute a quorum (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the board shall meet in a time and place designated by the board (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that the board may adopt rules necessary for the administration of the laws that the board is put in charge of (Sec. 1). 

• Authorizes the board to establish their own advisory or technical board that may be deemed necessary (Sec. 1). 

• Authorizes the board to appoint an executive director to fulfill admin functions (Sec. 1). 

• Defines Single-Payer Healthcare Financing system (Sec. 2). 

• Requires the governance board to develop a plan to do the following (Sec. 2): 

• Improve the health care of individuals;

• Defend against threats to the health of residents of the state; 

• Protect individuals from the financial consequences of ill health;

• Provide equitable access to in person care;

• Remove cost barriers to accessing health care; 

• Remove financial incentives for a healthcare practitioner to provide care to one patient rather than another; 

• Make is possible for individuals to participate in decisions affecting their health and health system; 

• Establishing health care goals that will align with a high standard of care;

• Promoting continuous quality improvement and fostering interorganizational collaboration;

• Promoting evidence based health care and services. 

• Requires the board to take into account the following principles (Sec. 2):

• Healthcare as the foundation for a just society;

• Race, ethnicity, citizenship status, and other factors shall not be barrier to quality healthcare; 

• The plan must be accountable and fully transparent to the people 

• Funding shall come from the public trust and and excess revenue will be returned to the trust

• Establishes that the board will accept the following (Sec. 2):

• The plan may not discriminate against individual healthcare providers;

• A participant of the plan may choose along with a healthcare provider what is medically necessary 

• The plan shall cover individuals from birth to death.

• Requires the board to assess the readiness of the system to carry out the plan and collaborate with state agencies (Sec. 2). 

• Requires the institution of a plan to create a Universal Health Plan Trust Fund in the State Treasury (Sec. 2).

• Appropriates funds for the Plan (Sec. 9). 

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

A vote to pass a bill to establish the universal health plan governance board

Highlights:

• Establishes the Universal health Plan Governance board under the Department of Consumer and Business services with a nine person board Appointed by the governor (Sec. 1). 

• Requires 5 board members to have expertise in the healthcare industry (Sec. 1). 

• Requires 4 board members to have a focus in public engagement (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that the terms of the office of each member of the board is 4 years but they serve at the pleasure of the governor of Oregon (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that members are confirmed by the senate (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that members of the board shall be entitled to compensation and reimbursement for travel expenses (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that the board shall select a chairperson and vice-chair (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that a majority of the members of the board constitute a quorum (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the board shall meet in a time and place designated by the board (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that the board may adopt rules necessary for the administration of the laws that the board is put in charge of (Sec. 1). 

• Authorizes the board to establish their own advisory or technical board that may be deemed necessary (Sec. 1). 

• Authorizes the board to appoint an executive director to fulfill admin functions (Sec. 1). 

• Defines Single-Payer Healthcare Financing system (Sec. 2). 

• Requires the governance board to develop a plan to do the following (Sec. 2): 

• Improve the health care of individuals;

• Defend against threats to the health of residents of the state; 

• Protect individuals from the financial consequences of ill health;

• Provide equitable access to in person care;

• Remove cost barriers to accessing health care; 

• Remove financial incentives for a healthcare practitioner to provide care to one patient rather than another; 

• Make is possible for individuals to participate in decisions affecting their health and health system; 

• Establishing health care goals that will align with a high standard of care;

• Promoting continuous quality improvement and fostering interorganizational collaboration;

• Promoting evidence based health care and services. 

• Requires the board to take into account the following principles (Sec. 2):

• Healthcare as the foundation for a just society;

• Race, ethnicity, citizenship status, and other factors shall not be barrier to quality healthcare; 

• The plan must be accountable and fully transparent to the people 

• Funding shall come from the public trust and and excess revenue will be returned to the trust

• Establishes that the board will accept the following (Sec. 2):

• The plan may not discriminate against individual healthcare providers;

• A participant of the plan may choose along with a healthcare provider what is medically necessary 

• The plan shall cover individuals from birth to death.

• Requires the board to assess the readiness of the system to carry out the plan and collaborate with state agencies (Sec. 2). 

• Requires the institution of a plan to create a Universal Health Plan Trust Fund in the State Treasury (Sec. 2).

• Appropriates funds for the Plan (Sec. 9). 

Full Bill Text