SALEM, Ore. (AP) — The Oregon House has approved a measure to protect a revenue stream that injects more federal funds into the state’s Medicaid program.
Legislators voted 44 to 15 Tuesday to extend the expiration date of the state’s health care assessment program to 2025. The program is a tax on health care providers and is common practice by states to draw down extra federal Medicaid funds.
The bill also extends the state’s tax on health insurers which proponents say will further stabilize preventative healthcare costs.
But lawmakers note the measure will do little to address Oregon’s Medicaid funding gap, which has snowballed to over $800 million. Rep. Rob Nosse, D-Portland, said extending these tax programs gives the Legislature time to find additional healthcare funds.
The bill now heads to the Senate.