Oregon Rural Health Collaborative Continues Learning Collaborative Series on H.R. 1 Changes
ORH’s Oregon Rural Health Collaborative will continue its Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) learning collaborative series this fall with a pair of webinars examining how H.R. 1, the federal budget reconciliation law signed in July 2025, is expected to affect Medicaid eligibility and administrative requirements in Oregon.
The webinar series is designed to help rural healthcare organizations understand and prepare for upcoming policy changes.
“Communities and organizations across Oregon are facing significant, time-limited changes under H.R.1 that will affect Medicaid eligibility, administrative requirements and financing,” said Kenna Dickard, technical assistance specialist for the ORH Oregon Rural Health Collaborative. “These webinars are designed to move rural organizations from awareness of these changes, to understanding what they mean locally, to concrete action and ongoing peer support.”
The series launched in August with a statewide overview of H.R. 1 presented by policy experts from Nexus Health Strategies. More than 200 people attended the session, which examined changes in three key areas: Medicaid eligibility, administrative requirements and financing. Watch the recording here.
On Oct. 26, Nexus Health Strategies will return to lead a session focused on major eligibility changes, including the new 80-hour-per-month work and community engagement requirement for Medicaid expansion adults, which takes effect in January 2027, shortened retroactive coverage periods and the end of coverage for certain lawfully present noncitizens. Register for the session here.
A second webinar, scheduled for Nov. 10, will examine key administrative changes, including six-month eligibility redeterminations for many adults, more frequent renewal requirements and additional verification steps such as address updates. Register for the session here.
The learning collaboratives are one component of the technical assistance available through the ORH 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.