Oregon's Automatic Hospital Financial Aid Law Boosts Patient Relief

Oregon's 2024 law requires hospitals to proactively screen nearly all patients for financial aid rather than relying on applications, a presumptive eligibility model drawing national attention. At Oregon Health & Science University's hospital, the share of patients automatically qualifying for assistance jumped from 12% to 64%, and statewide hospital spending on financial aid more than doubled in the first full fiscal year. Insured patients saw notable gains in assistance as well. Hospitals are now pushing back, citing screening-tool costs and financial strain from federal Medicaid and ACA subsidy cuts, even as North Carolina, California, and Delaware adopt similar presumptive eligibility requirements.

Finance