June 11th: Health Reform bills HB 2116 and HB 2009 have passed Oregon Legislature

HB 2009 (health reform) and HB 2116 (creates revenue to match federal funding to expand the Oregon Health Plan to cover unisured children and low-income adults) have both passed the Oregon House and Senate.

Senator Alan Bates said, "This is an especially important day for health reform in Oregon. I believe this puts Oregon back on the map as one of the states leading health reform in the nation"

A press release from the Oregon Health Fund Board (attached below) said:

The companion bills were developed as a two-track approach that recognized that expanding coverage without controlling costs is unsustainable.  With the enactment of both bills, Board Vice-Chair Eileen Brady sees a natural fit with health reform discussions taking place at the national level.  “More and more we are hearing from Washington that rising health care costs must be addressed as a part of national health reform. Oregon will be leading the way with the passage of HB 2116 and HB 2009.” 

» Story in the Oregonian