The Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems' lobbying efforts contributed to officials killing House Bill 2664 in the Senate. according to The Lund Report.
Here are five key notes:
1. The bill would have allowed Oregon ASCs to expand their hours, which sparked opposition from the hospital association.
2. In addition to House Bill 2664, officials eliminated House Bill 2115 that would have mandated hospitals to better account for their charity care to maintain their nonprofit status and avoid paying taxes on profits.
3. The association's efforts did little to eliminate a cost containment bill. The bill fixes non-primary care hospital reimbursements to 200 percent of Medicare for Public Employee Benefit Board and the Oregon Educators Benefit Board health plans.
4. The Lund Report states the cost containment bill will help states lower costs by $190 million by disallowing hospitals from price gouging state workers and teachers' heath plans.
5. Since 2015, the Oregon Hospital Political Action Committee has spent $336,000 financing legislative campaigns for lobbying efforts.