(a) "Eligible employer" means an operator of a facility that:
(A) Is a participating provider in the state medical assistance program;
(B) Elects to participate in the Oregon Essential Workforce Health Care Program; and
(C) Meets other requirements prescribed by the Oregon Health Authority by rule.
(b) "Facility" includes:
(A) A long term care facility licensed under ORS 441.020;
(B) A residential facility as defined in ORS 443.400; and
(C) An in-home care agency licensed under ORS 443.315.
(2) The Oregon Essential Workforce Health Care Program is established in the Oregon Health Authority. The authority, in coordination with the Department of Human Services, shall provide supplemental payments, as approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, to eligible employers to be used by the eligible employers to provide health care benefits to the employees of their facilities.
(3) To participate in the program, an eligible employer shall:
(a) Enter into a memorandum of understanding with the authority that specifies how the supplemental payments will be used;
(b) Agree to participate in evidence-based workforce and quality of care improvements; and
(c) Annually report quality and other metrics.
(4) The authority, in coordination with the department, may adopt rules to carry out the provisions of this section. [2021 c.595 §1]
Note: 735.520 becomes operative upon receipt of approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. See section 4, chapter 595, Oregon Laws 2021.
Note: 735.520 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 735 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.
Note: Section 3, chapter 595, Oregon Laws 2021, provides:
Sec. 3. (1) The Oregon Health Authority shall seek approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to make the supplemental payments to eligible employers under section 1 of this 2021 Act [735.520].
(2) The authority shall notify the Legislative Counsel upon receipt of the approval or denial of approval by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services under subsection (1) of this section. [2021 c.595 §3]