2024 Oregon State of Reform Health Policy Conference

The Networking Breakfast will take place before the start of the conference to allow attendees to grab light refreshments and connect with their fellow colleagues before we kick things off for the day.

The legislative session is just around the corner and advocates, state agencies and organized interest groups are gearing up for a long session dedicated to forming the state’s budget for the next biennium. Join this panel of Salem insiders to discuss what to expect for health policy during the 2025 legislative session.  

This panel of dynamic leaders will discuss the different forms of innovation and intervention being pursued through Oregon’s 1115 Medicaid waiver. Panelists will discuss the promise of the waiver‘s provisions to address health-related social needs (HRSNs) like housing and food security. Hear about exciting partnerships between Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) and traditional healthcare providers that are utilizing the waiver to address the needs of Oregonians through comprehensive interventions. 

Join this panel as they discuss new advancements in healthcare technology. Experts will discuss how current technology is already helping to build a stronger health care system. Panelists will dig into emerging forms of technology like artificial intelligence and what policies might be needed to maximize the benefits and reduce the risks of these technologies. The panel will also consider technology’s role in Oregon’s continued movement to value-based payment systems. 

In September, Oregon’s Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) released a plan outlining price limitations on health plans for paying for costly prescription drugs. This panel will talk about the work of the PDAB, as well as other efforts to rein in rising prescription drug costs including recent legislation to prevent aggressive business practices from pharmacy benefit managers. 

This panel will discuss the innovative work happening in Oregon to support those moving in and out of incarceration. Oregon is one of nine states that have received approval from the federal government to provide healthcare coverage to people transitioning out of incarceration. Panelists will also discuss how behavioral health supports are crucial to developing a stable foundation for those transitioning out of jail. 

Oregon lawmakers and voters have considered several policy ideas to address poverty in the state. Join this panel as they discuss how addressing poverty is critical to improving overall health equity, the impact of Measure 118 and how they see basic income policies working in the future. 

During the next legislative session, state legislators will consider a robust bill addressing maternal and child health challenges, aptly named “Momnibus.”  Join this session to hear from leaders about the projected impact of the bill and other work being pursued in the state to improve maternal and child health. 

Join experts as they discuss how to continue to grow and maintain Oregon’s healthcare workforce. Experts will focus on the broader workforce continuum, starting with the work being done to encourage young people to pursue a healthcare career. Panelists will also discuss attraction and retention efforts by healthcare employers to maintain the current workforce. 

This panel will discuss the most promising strategies for improving Oregon’s behavioral health system, which is a key priority for Gov. Kotek’s administration. Join these leaders as they explore solutions to issues like the behavioral health workforce shortage and funding gaps. Panelists will also discuss the need for more substance use disorder (SUD) resources and SUD’s impact on the homeless population. 

Join Coordinated Care Organization (CCO) leaders and other Medicaid experts for a conversation about the challenges and lessons learned from recent experiences with the CCO model. With the next CCO procurement on the horizon, panelists will talk through how to apply best practices to future CCO work and maximize their effectiveness. Speakers will also discuss upcoming potential refinements to the CCO model that might be seen in the next legislative session.