H.R. 1 Webinar Recap
More than 200 people joined a recent ORH webinar examining how H.R. 1, the federal budget reconciliation law signed in July 2025, is expected to affect Medicaid and rural healthcare in Oregon.
The webinar marked the launch of a new series of learning collaboratives hosted by the Oregon Rural Health Collaborative, the team assembled by ORH to support implementation of the state's Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP).
“Rural communities are navigating a rapidly changing healthcare landscape,” said Kenna Dickard, technical assistance specialist for the Oregon Rural Health Collaborative. “These learning collaboratives provide timely information and guidance to help clinics, hospitals, local governments, community organizations and other rural partners understand the changes, plan for what comes next and create long-term sustainability for the work underway through the RHTP.”
The Aug. 25 session featured policy experts from Nexus Health Strategies, who outlined key eligibility, administrative and financing changes coming to the Oregon Health Plan (OHP). Topics included new work and community engagement requirements, six-month eligibility redeterminations, shortened retroactive coverage periods and the phased reduction of provider taxes.
The Nexus team also walked attendees through a timeline of when each change takes effect and what the projected coverage and financial impacts look like for Oregon. A recording of the webinar is available here.
The learning collaboratives are one component of the technical assistance available through the Oregon Rural Health Collaborative. Offered at no cost, technical assistance provides hands-on support tailored to the unique needs of rural communities and organizations. Assistance is delivered by ORH staff and a network of contracted experts with deep experience in rural health finance, quality improvement, workforce development, data analytics and health systems design.
To learn more about technical assistance or submit a request, click here.
Organizations and community partners are also encouraged to help shape future learning collaboratives. To suggest a topic for an upcoming session, please complete this survey.
Email Kenna Dickard with any questions.