Governor Kotek Issues Executive Order to Protect Healthcare Access in Oregon
SALEM — Governor Tina Kotek has issued Executive Order 26-27, directing state agencies to take immediate action to protect access to affordable, high-quality healthcare in Oregon. The governor's office said that after years of state-driven efforts to expand and maintain coverage, approximately 97% of Oregonians currently have health insurance, and the order aims to protect that coverage amid significant federal changes taking effect from January 1, 2027.
The order directs the Department of Consumer and Business Services' Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) to commission a third-party review of the state's reinsurance program and report by March 2027 on potential budget, legislative or executive changes; DFR and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) must enforce corrections for the requirement that at least 12% of health insurers' spending go to primary care, review timely reimbursement for providers, and reduce administrative burdens on primary care clinics. OHA will also work with a nonprofit to draft a proposal to lower Medicaid pharmacy benefit costs, and OHA and the Department of Human Services must submit quarterly reports on the number of people who lost or were denied coverage as a result of the federal changes.
Kotek said her executive order focuses on "the strategies we as a state can act on right now" to reduce healthcare costs and keep Oregonians insured. According to the governor's office, the Oregon Reinsurance Program and other regulatory actions have lowered individual-market rates by 6% to 8% annually, and additional DFR intervention reduced average rate increases by 10.7% for the 2027 plan year. The order took effect immediately.
Sources: Executive Order 26-27, Office of the Oregon Governor, via EIN Presswire; Salem Statesman Journal
Source: 俄勒冈州州长办公室
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: GSM 行政令统一模板（俄勒冈州州长行政令）
