Opponents say the seemingly small change could undermine efforts to help low-income patients access care. Hospitals say it’s a burden.
Oregon lawmakers are considering weakening a key guardrail established to protect low-income patients from becoming ensnared in debt.
Currently, tax-exempt hospitals must screen patients for charity care eligibility if they are uninsured, enrolled in Medicaid or owe more than $500 after insurance. A seemingly small provision in House Bill 4040, a sprawling health care bill before lawmakers, would increase that amount to $1,500 for a single hospital visit.
Lawmakers are considering lessening the protections — the most recent of which took effect in 2024 — after Oregon…