The Oregon Rural Health Association (ORHA) was founded in 1992 to build a stronger voice in Salem for all rural practitioners. Today the ORHA is composed of individuals and organizations dedicated to providing leadership on rural health issues through advocacy, communication and education.
News and Events
The Oregon legislature has passed SB 440 creating a new loan repayment program. The program was required by the federal government as part of the waiver agreement and federal support for Oregon’s healthcare transformation program. SB 440 has passed out of the Ways and Means Committee and waits action on the House floor. Once passed, the Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon Office of Rural Health will work on rules. This program is expected to be administered by the Oregon Office of Rural Health.
SB 324, the Rural Volunteer EMT Tax Credit passed out of the Senate Rural Communities and Economic Development Committee and referred to the Joint Committee on Tax Credits. This bill would extend the sunset on the tax until December 31, 2020. SB 324 has a hearing scheduled for 8.30 am on May 2. You can find contact information for committee members’ names and email addresses by clicking on the links.
SB 325, the Rural Provider Tax Credit, passed out of the Senate Health Care Committee with a referral to the Joint Committee on Tax Credits. There is a move by the committee to limit the eligibility for credit either by income or practice specialty.
HB 2858, Primary Health Care Loan Forgiveness Program, has been passed by the House Health Care Committee and referred to the Ways & Means Committee where it awaits action. The Primary Health Care Loan Forgiveness program was created in 2011 and designed for physicians, physician assistance and nurse practitioners in rural Oregon training programs. Participants must agree to work in a clinical setting in an approved rural community one year for every year of loan forgiveness.
You can find the contact information for your legislator at the Oregon State Legislature website: http://www.leg.state.or.us/findlegsltr/