SB1578: Relating to health care interpreters; prescribing an effective date.

Legislative Summary

The Act directs the OHA to set up a health care interpreter management system. The Act requires the OHA to contract with a nonprofit entity to establish a recruitment and retention program. The Act sets out certain requirements for the nonprofit. The Act requires the nonprofit to submit a report to the OHA each year. The Act requires the OHA to seek out all means to get federal matching funds to pay costs of health care interpreter services. The Act goes into effect 91 days after the session ends. (Flesch Readability Score: 60.6). Directs the Oregon Health Authority to establish and maintain an online portal with the functionality to provide online scheduling for health care providers and coordinated care organizations to use to contact health care interpreters directly for purposes of serving Oregon Health Plan members and to process billing for health care interpreter services that were rendered to Oregon Health Plan members. Requires the authority to contract with a nonprofit entity to develop and administer a health care interpreter recruitment and retention program. Provides criteria and reporting requirements that the contracting nonprofit must meet. Requires the authority to seek any federal funding available for costs of reimbursing health care interpreters for health care interpretation services provided to [medical assistance recipients] Oregon Health Plan members no later than January 1, 2025. Modifies certain biennial appropriations made from the General Fund to the Oregon Health Authority. Establishes and modifies limitations on expenditures for certain biennial expenses for the Oregon Health Authority. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.