House Votes to Increase Transparency, Accountability for CCO's

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File Photo, Oregon State House (Brian Gailey)

File Photo, Oregon State House (Brian Gailey)

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Legislation revamps CCO rules as they prepare to sign new contracts

SALEM – Oregon House Democrats passed House Bill 4018 providing increased transparency and accountability for the coordinated care organizations (CCOs) that serve Oregon’s Medicaid population.

The legislation, years in the making, comes as CCOs in Oregon prepare to sign new five-year contracts.

“It is critical that the $9.3 billion Medicaid budget be spent wisely and with accountability,” said Rep. Mitch Greenlick (D-Portland). “We also must ensure that there are protections in place for the Oregonians served by these organizations. The collapse of FamilyCare showed us that we have work to do to make sure that, in the event of another CCO failure, patients don’t experience interruptions in their care.”

The legislation sets new requirements for CCOs to notify the Oregon Health Authority, which administers the state’s Medicaid program, if they do not plan on renewing their contract and adds requirements for CCOs to make their meetings more public. Among the changes the legislation will make to the current CCO contracts:

  • Requires governing body meetings to be open to the public when decisions are being made; requires all governing body meetings be subject to written or video minutes.
  • Requires CCOs to expend a portion of net income back into the community through investments in the social determinants of health.
  • Establishes a 120-day notice of CCO nonrenewal and a minimum of 90-days' notice for providers and patients upon notice of nonrenewal, to be made in a manner approved by the Oregon health Authority.
  • Replaces the requirement that a majority of board members be risk-bearing members and instead sets a floor.

House Bill 4018, supported by a majority of CCOs in Oregon, makes key changes and establishes expectations while retaining the flexibility CCOs are designed to have. “This legislation establishes basic standards to hold the Oregon Health Authority accountable, and it tackles the problems that are truly necessary and requires legislative action on while we await review of Health Policy Board process,” said Rep. Andrea Salinas (D-Lake Oswego). “These changes are good for health care providers, CCO patients, and their communities.”

Rep. Barbara Smith Warner (D-Portland) said House Bill 4018 will prevent providers and patients from being blindsided when a CCO pulls out of the Medicaid market

“These organizations are too large and their service is too critical to continue operating without a window into the decision-making processes of these publicly funded institutions,” Rep. Smith Warner said.

Oregon House Democrats are committed to ensuring every Oregonian has access to quality, affordable health care, and ensuring our state government is as efficient, transparent and effective as possible.

House Bill 4018 faced a minority report from House Republicans. The report included policy that a majority of CCOs oppose, and that the committee rejected or never vetted and received no public testimony. The minority report failed 23 to 35.

The legislation, which passed the House 32 to 26, now goes to the Oregon Senate for consideration.

Press release from the Oregon State House Majority Office.

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