Senate committee adopts amendment, sends hospice licensure moratorium bill to floor

The Oregon Senate Committee on Health Care on Feb. 16 adopted an amendment to Senate Bill 1575 and voted to send the bill to the Senate floor with a "do pass" recommendation.

The bill, as described to the committee, would temporarily prohibit the Oregon Health Authority from issuing new hospice licenses while OHA completes rulemaking within 24 months. Exceptions would allow existing licensees expanding services, applicants serving underserved areas or populations, and hospice programs seeking a new initial license after a change in ownership under specified circumstances. The measure also declares an emergency and would take effect upon passage.

Mr. Davis, the committee staff presenter, summarized the measure and proposed amendments, saying the rulemaking would include criminal background checks, criteria for review, acceptance of federal agency certifications, and new application requirements tied to ownership thresholds. A posted dash-4 amendment would retain the moratorium and add direction for OHA to set initial and renewal application fees by rule, capped at the cost of administering the program.

Vice Chair Hayden moved adoption of the dash-4 amendment. After brief committee discussion on oversight and protections for rural access, the amendment passed on a roll call. "I moved to adopt the Dash 4 amendment to Senate Bill 15 75," one member said during the motion. Chair Patterson later thanked hospice providers and said she hoped "we will help to protect the dying and make sure that they get quality care through hospice."

Senator Litton registered opposition on the record, saying she was concerned about adding rules in the short session and the burden on small providers. The chair and sponsors said the measure includes exceptions intended to protect access, including in rural areas, and that the two-year timeframe was meant to let OHA design rules that were not unduly burdensome.

With the amendment adopted, the committee moved the bill to the Senate floor with a due-pass recommendation and assigned Chair Patterson as carrier.

The committee did not take final action on the specific fee structure; staff requested fiscal and revenue analyses for the posted amendment.

The committee is scheduled to reconvene on Feb. 23. The bill will next be considered on the Senate floor where sponsors and minority members said they may press further clarifications.