Bill > SB1168

This bill modifies Oregon law regarding compensation for home health care and home hospice care staff by prohibiting home health agencies and hospice programs from paying staff on a per-visit basis. The bill defines key terms such as "home health care staff" and "home hospice care staff", explicitly excluding certain professionals like physicians, nurse practitioners, psychologists, volunteers, and supervisors from these categories. Per-visit compensation is defined as any payment method tied directly or indirectly to the total number of patients served or visits made by staff. The legislation specifically prohibits compensation structures that link pay to the volume of patient interactions, with the goal of protecting care workers from potential incentives that might compromise patient care quality. The Bureau of Labor and Industries is tasked with enforcing these provisions and is allocated an additional $159,362 in the 2025-2027 biennium budget to support enforcement efforts. The bill aims to ensure more stable and fair compensation for home health and hospice care workers by preventing payment models that might encourage rushed or minimal patient interactions.