United States of Care Urges Bridge Plan Task Force to Protect Affordable Coverage Options for Oregonians

In March 2022, the Oregon legislature passed HB 4035, which authorizes the development of a “Bridge Plan” to support continuity of coverage for people at risk of losing coverage at the end of the COVID Public Health Emergency. This Bridge Plan lays an important foundation for policies that would serve many lower-income Oregonians who struggle to access affordable coverage. Additionally, the Bridge Plan Task Force (BPTF) is charged with developing the Plan’s framework, identifying a federal funding pathway, and recommending how to mitigate any effects to people already enrolled in Marketplace coverage.

On October 31, United States of Care again submitted public comments to the Task Force. Following the BPTF’s October 18 meeting about the Plan’s impact on the Individual Marketplace, we focused our comments on the need to consider mitigation strategies to ensure those enrolled in Marketplace coverage don’t experience higher costs with the introduction of the Bridge Plan. 

We continue to work with partners on the ground in Oregon to support a successful Bridge Plan that is designed with flexibility to allow for future coverage expansion options to help even more Oregonians afford health care in the future.