Last week, President Donald Trump signed a significant domestic policy bill that has raised concerns among health care advocates in Oregon. This legislation aims to preserve the 2017 tax cuts while making substantial cuts to various health programs, including Medicaid.
One of the most pressing issues arising from the bill is its requirement for adults aged 19 to 64 to prove their employment or engagement in volunteer work for at least 80 hours a month to qualify for Medicaid. This aspect of the legislation is expected to create administrative burdens that could lead to many individuals losing access to health coverage even if they qualify.
Eric Hunter, president and CEO of CareOregon, the state’s largest Medicaid provider, expressed alarm over potential changes during an interview with OPB’s “All Things Considered”. He emphasized that the week leading up to the bill’s passage was chaotic, filled with anticipation about how the final legislation would affect Oregonians.
Hunter noted that, despite the changes coming down the pipeline, current Medicaid benefits and care for residents remain unchanged for now. “We’re doing our best to serve people and reassure them that their current coverage is still intact,” he stated.
However, he acknowledged the difficulty of navigating the new requirements: “This is not as simple as just checking a box… people will fall off the rolls due to the complexities of paperwork.”
The recent changes require more frequent eligibility checks for Medicaid recipients, which Hunter likened to doubling the frequency of tax filing for individuals. This could create substantial obstacles for those wishing to maintain their coverage, leading to higher rates of uninsured individuals in Oregon, similar to trends seen in Arkansas and Georgia where similar requirements have been imposed.
Additionally, the bill introduces new restrictions on provider taxes, which currently play a crucial role in funding Medicaid programs across states. For Oregon, this means a reduction of the provider tax from 6% to 3.5%, jeopardizing approximately a quarter of the funding for the Oregon Health Plan. Hunter emphasized that the reduction in funds would compel the state to either increase revenue or make tough decisions regarding benefits and eligibility criteria for Medicaid.
When asked if there are any aspects of the bill that could be beneficial, Hunter pointed to potential federal government efforts to identify fraudulent Medicaid enrollments. He stated that identifying genuine fraud, waste, and abuse in the system could contribute to enhancing the efficacy of Medicaid spending, but the positives in the bill are scarce.
Hunter highlighted that, while there may be some federal support for rural hospitals within the bill, the overall impact will likely be detrimental. “Any support for rural hospitals will not compensate for the damages this legislation inflicts on those institutions, especially in states like Oregon that tend to vote blue,” he said.
The overarching theme of Hunter’s comments was one of concern over the legislative priorities reflected in such a bill. He indicated that the focus seems to be shifting away from essential health services toward tax cuts and other financial maneuvers. “For many leaders in this country, the priority isn’t on serving the population or ensuring access to necessary care,” he lamented.
Despite the challenging landscape ahead, Hunter and CareOregon are committed to preparing for the coming changes. He recognized that the health care situation in Oregon was already precarious prior to the passage of the bill. Looking ahead to 2026, he expressed hope that funding rates would allow them to continue providing necessary care, but anticipated that many community-enhancing initiatives would no longer be feasible.
He cited the Hawk’s Eye apartments project in Seaside, Oregon, which provides transitional housing for members and healthcare providers new to the area. He noted that initiatives like this, which support community well-being, will suffer as resources dwindle. The changes outlined in the recent legislation, particularly the Medicaid cuts, promise to create significant challenges that ripple through the state’s health care framework.
In summary, the passage of this domestic policy bill marks a major shift in health care funding and Medicaid management in Oregon. The looming requirements and funding restrictions could drastically alter the landscape of health care access and quality for many Oregonians. As CareOregon prepares to adapt to these developments, there is a pervasive concern about the long-term implications of these changes on the health and well-being of the community.
image source from：opb
