71st OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2001 Regular Session
NOTE: Matter within { + braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within { - braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
{ + braces and plus signs + } .
LC 1925
A-Engrossed
House Bill 2516
Ordered by the House March 26
Including House Amendments dated March 26
Sponsored by Representative KRUSE (at the request of Interim
House Health and Human Services Committee)
SUMMARY
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure.
Creates Rural Health Foundation. { + Requires foundation board
to appoint Grant Application Review Committee to rank grant
applications based upon specified criteria. + } Authorizes
{ + foundation board to award + } grants to rural health care
providers.
{ + Declares emergency, effective July 1, 2001. + }
A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to rural health care; and declaring an emergency.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
SECTION 1. { + As used in sections 2 and 5 of this 2001 Act, '
rural health care provider' means:
(1) Rural hospitals, as defined in ORS 442.470, that are not
for profit or are publicly owned;
(2) Rural health clinics, as defined in 42 U.S.C. 1395x;
(3) Federally qualified health centers, as defined in 42 U.S.C.
1395x;
(4) Rural health practitioners eligible for a tax credit under
ORS 316.143, 316.144 or 316.146; and
(5) Long term care facilities, as defined in ORS 442.015, that
are not for profit or are publicly owned. + }
SECTION 2. { + (1) There is established the Rural Health
Foundation. The purpose of the foundation is to promote improved
health and access to quality health care in rural areas of the
state. Foundation duties include but are not limited to awarding
Rural Health Viability Grants to eligible rural health care
providers under section 5 of this 2001 Act.
(2) The foundation shall be an exempt organization under
section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. + }
SECTION 3. { + (1) A board of directors shall govern the Rural
Health Foundation. The board of directors consists of eight
members representing specific organizations and five at-large
members. Each of the following organizations shall appoint one
representative to serve on the board:
(a) Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems;
(b) Oregon Medical Association;
(c) Oregon Nurses Association;
(d) Oregon Society of Physician Assistants;
(e) Office of Rural Health;
(f) Oregon Health Sciences University Area Health Education
Centers Program;
(g) Oregon Academy of Family Physicians; and
(h) Oregon Primary Care Association.
(2) The board members selected under subsection (1) of this
section shall appoint five at-large members of the board to
represent organizations with interest and experience in rural
health issues.
(3) The term of office of each board member is four years. A
member is eligible for reappointment. Before the expiration of
the term of a member representing an organization listed in
subsection (1) of this section, or in the event a member leaves
or is removed from the board, the organization that the person
represents shall appoint a successor. Before the expiration of
the term of an at-large member, or in the event an at-large
member leaves or is removed from the board, a majority of the
board members shall appoint a successor.
(4) The board shall adopt policies necessary for the operation
of the board, including but not limited to:
(a) Quorum requirements;
(b) Designation of officers;
(c) Appointment, removal and replacement of members, including
at-large members; and
(d) Meeting places and times. + }
SECTION 4. { + (1) The board of directors of the Rural Health
Foundation shall appoint a Grant Application Review Committee to
review Rural Health Viability Grant applications. The committee
shall consist of at least three but not more than five members,
each of whom shall serve for a term ending three years from the
date of appointment. A member appointed to the committee must:
(a) Be knowledgeable about rural health issues and experienced
in rural health public policy issues in Oregon;
(b) Be a resident of this state who lives outside of a standard
metropolitan statistical area, as defined in ORS 267.010; and
(c) If a provider of health care services, not be licensed,
certified or otherwise authorized or permitted by laws of this
state to administer medical services in the ordinary course of
business or practice of a profession.
(2) The committee shall elect a chairperson and meet at times,
days and places called by the chairperson.
(3)(a) The committee shall review all applications received by
the Rural Health Foundation and rank the applications on a
numerical scale according to the following factors:
(A) Community health need;
(B) Emergent nature of the need;
(C) Contribution to a long term solution;
(D) Promotion of quality health care; and
(E) Viability of the proposal.
(b) The committee shall forward its rankings to the board
within 60 days of receiving an application for review. + }
SECTION 5. { + (1) Subject to funds available, the Rural
Health Foundation shall award Rural Health Viability Grants to
rural health care providers. Only rural health care providers may
apply for a Rural Health Viability Grant.
(2) An applicant seeking a Rural Health Viability Grant shall
submit a written application to the foundation on the form
specified by the board of directors. The board shall specify the
information required and the deadline for the form.
(3) After considering the ranking of applications prepared by
the Grant Application Review Committee, the board may award Rural
Health Viability Grants to rural health care providers that
promote any of the following goals:
(a) Replacement or renovation of aging rural hospitals.
(b) Modernization of capital equipment.
(c) Preservation of access to local health services in rural
areas through short-term support of vulnerable rural health care
providers.
(d) Expanded community health educational opportunities.
(e) Incentives for the development of long-term sustainable
approaches.
(f) Support for collaborative approaches that sustain access to
quality rural health care.
(g) Expanded or sustained health care for financially and
physically vulnerable populations.
(h) Identification of new sources of revenue to provide
long-term support for the foundation.
(4) The board may accept gifts and grants to carry out the
duties, functions and powers of the foundation. + }
SECTION 6. { + This 2001 Act being necessary for the immediate
preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency
is declared to exist, and this 2001 Act takes effect July 1,
2001. + }
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