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Over the last year I have heard from dozens of health care professionals and employers about the need for licensing reform in Oregon. It has been a huge topic of discussion with other legislators on both sides of the aisle. From long delays resulting in lost income and not seeing patients, to confusing application processes, unnecessary requirements, burdensome paperwork, and poor customer service - we know we need to improve things in order to attract the best and brightest professionals in the field.
We have a health care staffing crisis in Oregon. Licensed professionals and employers are demanding improvements. I want you to know that many of us in the legislature have heard you, and are taking action. The licensing boards operate under the direction of the legislature.
THE LEGISLATURE MUST ACT IN ORDER TO FIX THESE SYSTEMIC ISSUES.
I have introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation with the goal of modernizing our health care licensing programs across the board. House Bill 4071 Amendment 1 replaces the base bill and establishes a Health Professional Licensing Modernization Task Force to tackle this issue. Our goal is to streamline the licensing process, eliminating unnecessary requirements, processes, and documentation, with a renewed focus on applicant service. In my opinion, our overarching goal should be to protect patient safety by onboarding qualified applicants as quickly as possible with excellent customer service.
WE NEED YOUR HELP TO GET THIS DONE. The House Behavioral Health and Health Care Committee needs to hear that you support this much needed reform. Washington State is well under way, modernizing their processes and entering into interstate licensing compacts. In this competitive environment we cannot be left behind.
We are also introducing two accompanying amendments: HB4071-2 would have Oregon enter the new interstate Social Work Licensure Compact. HB4071-3 would add the interstate Counseling Compact. Joining these compacts would allow Oregon to honor licenses from other states.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
1. Email the committee members and urge them to support one or all of these amendments. Share your story!
Chair Rep. Rob Nosse Rep.RobNosse@oregonlegislature.gov
Vice-Chair Rep. Christine Goodwin Rep.ChristineGoodwin@oregonlegislature.gov
Vice-Chair Rep. Travis Nelson Rep.TravisNelson@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep. Ben Bowman Rep.BenBowman@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep. Charlie Conrad Rep.CharlieConrad@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep. Maxine Dexter Rep.MaxineDexter@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep. Ed Diehl Rep.EdDiehl@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep. Cyrus Javadi Rep.CyrusJavadi@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep. Hai Pham Rep.HaiPham@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep. Thuy Tran Rep.ThuyTran@oregonlegislature.gov
Rep. Dwayne Yunker Rep.DwayneYunker@oregonlegislature.gov
2. Submit testimony and/or register to testify here:
3. Show up and support the hearing on Tuesday, February 13th, 5 pm, Hearing Room A
The committee needs to hear from you! I can't emphasize this enough - the committee needs to know how important it is for modernization, and that the legislature must act now.
Please share this email with health care professionals and employers.
The public hearing is scheduled for next Tuesday, February 13th at 5 pm.
You can read the bill, register to testify virtually or in person, and/or submit written testimony here:
HB4071 2024 Regular Session - Oregon Legislative Information System
Yours truly,
Representative Ed Diehl
House District 17
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1417
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-378, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Rep.EdDiehl@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/diehl
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