Bill > HB2939

This bill establishes new requirements for hospitals planning to close, cease, reduce, or relocate health services in Oregon. The bill defines key terms such as "health services" (which includes medical, surgical, intensive care, maternity, neonatal, inpatient mental health, and substance use disorder services) and requires hospitals to provide comprehensive written notice at least 275 days in advance to multiple parties, including the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), local government bodies, patients who have received services in the past three years, impacted employees, and the general public. The notice must be posted at hospital entrances and distributed through local and statewide press releases. The bill also empowers the OHA to impose civil penalties for non-compliance, with penalties up to $500 per day of violation, based on the severity of the infraction. Importantly, these penalties cannot be used in rate determinations or reimbursement calculations. The legislation aims to ensure transparency and provide adequate warning to communities when significant changes to hospital services are imminent, giving stakeholders time to prepare and seek alternative healthcare options.

Health and Social Services

https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Measures/Overview/HB2939