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Monitoring Federal Changes and any Impacts on Oregon

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Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is actively assessing federal changes and actions for any impact that they have on Oregonians. OHA is committed to making sure people in every Oregon community can access the health care and other services they need.

Current status Changes in OHA programs Immigration help Other resources

Current status

Public Charge

July, 30, 2026

Effective September 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (U.S. DHS) has removed federal regulations that have governed public charge determinations since 2022.  The 2022 rules provided regulatory standards used by federal immigration officers when deciding if a person can get a visa to enter the United States or receive a green card.  Because the regulatory standards will no longer exist, immigration officers will be allowed to consider more types of public benefits when deciding if someone is likely to become a public charge.

Read more here

Changes in OHA programs

OHA is currently reviewing a federal rule change that is proposed to take effect Oct. 13, 2026, and calls for prohibiting federal reimbursement for some gender-affirming medications and surgery provided to patients under 18 who are covered by Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The rule is not in effect today and there are no changes to Medicaid coverage in Oregon. Once we better understand the details and impacts, OHA will provide more information on effects if any.

Gender-affirming health care is protected under Oregon law, including by the Reproductive Health Equity Act of 2017 and 2023's Oregon House Bill 2002. The Oregon Health Plan (OHP) and many private health insurance plans in Oregon cover medically necessary care that affirms an individual's gender identity according to accepted standards of care. 

Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is actively monitoring and assessing changes at the federal level for any impact on accessing quality, affordable health care in Oregon. Despite uncertainty at the federal level, OHA will continue to do everything it can to ensure everyone in Oregon can receive the vital and compassionate health care they need and deserve.

OHA is determined to protect and preserve fundamental health freedoms in Oregon and believes that health care is an essential human right for everyone - including transgender and gender-diverse people.    

Gender-affirming care is health care that meets people's physical, mental and social health needs while respectfully affirming their gender identity. It is care that a medical professional determines is medically appropriate to support the overall health of their patient. 

For more information about what state law says about gender-affirming care, visit the Oregon Department of Justice's webpage.

For more information about gender-affirming care coverage under Oregon's Medicaid program, visit the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) webpage. If an OHP member has a concern about receiving gender-affirming care, they should contact their Coordinated Care Organization (CCO). Those who do not have a CCO or need further assistance can also contact OHP Client Services 1-800-273-0557, or the OHA Ombuds Program (1-877-642-0450, OHA.OmbudsOffice@odhsoha.oregon.gov.

For more information about private health plan requirements, please visit the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs Division of Financial Regulation webpage. 

OHA Statement on Appeals Court’s Mifepristone Ruling

May 4, 2026

Oregon Health Authority is aware that a federal appeals court issued a ruling May 1 that temporarily stops abortion providers’ ability to use telemedicine to prescribe the abortion medication mifepristone and send the pills to patients by mail. On Monday, May 4, the U.S. Supreme Court paused the Fifth Circuit Court’s ruling and restored access to mifepristone until at least May 11. OHA is reviewing the decision in consultation with the Oregon Department of Justice and the office of Gov. Tina Kotek.

Mifepristone was first approved by the FDA more than 20 years ago and is a safe and effective method of ending an early pregnancy. In 2024, medication abortion accounted for nearly 63% of abortions performed in Oregon, according to OHA data.

OHA is committed to ensuring access to a full range of essential reproductive health services, including abortion. OHA wants to reassure patients and providers that mifepristone and abortion remain safe, legal and available in Oregon.

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Information for Oregon Health Plan members and providers about future changes to Medicaid is located here.

Information about the Federal Request for Oregon Health Plan member data

OHA remains committed to protecting the privacy and well-being of all Oregon Health Plan (OHP) members. Recent reports and legal developments have raised serious concerns about how federal agencies use Medicaid data, including personal information for the more than 1.4 million Oregon residents covered by OHP.

On December 29, 2025, a federal court ruled that as of January 6, 2026, CMS may start sharing limited information with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) only for individuals who are not “lawfully residing” in the United States; however, there is some uncertainty about what notice is needed regarding how the federal government will be using this information. According to the court order, information may be shared about people who received federally funded Medicaid services and who are not “lawfully residing” in the United States. Shareable data includes citizenship or immigration status, address, phone number, date of birth, and Medicaid ID.

See more information here.


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The Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace helps individuals and families get coverage that fits their needs and budget. It is the state’s pathway to coverage through HealthCare.gov, where Oregonians can compare plans and apply for financial help.

The Marketplace serves people who don’t qualify for the Oregon Health Plan or have access to affordable coverage through an employer. In 2024, thousands of Oregonians received subsidies that helped lower the cost of premiums and out-of-pocket expenses.

Marketplace coverage has not changed and financial assistance remains available. Current enrollees should keep their scheduled appointments, use their benefits as usual, and update their information during open enrollment or if something in their life changes – like their income, a move, or a change to their household. New applicants can explore coverage options and apply through HealthCare.gov or get help from certified insurance agents or community partners.

Effective August 25, 2025, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients will no longer be eligible to enroll in Marketplace coverage. DACA recipients who are currently enrolled through the Marketplace will be disenrolled on Oct. 1, 2025. This change is part of the federal Marketplace Integrity and Affordability Final Rule and applies nationwide—even in Oregon—ending earlier eligibility granted beginning Nov. 1, 2024.

OHA wants DACA recipients to be aware of their options to pay for health care:

  • Individuals can enroll directly through an insurance company regardless of immigration status. Health insurance companies are not allowed to ask questions about citizenship and immigration status. DACA recipients can enroll in a health plan directly through an insurance company at full cost regardless of immigration status.
  • Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) provide wide-ranging care—including medical, dental, mental health, and preventive services—regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. FQHCs use a sliding fee scale based on income and currently serve anyone, including people without insurance. Find a FQHC at orhim.info/FQHC.
  • Not-for-profit health systems financial assistance programs. Depending on household income, DACA recipients may qualify for free health care or care at a sliding scale. This program is available at not-for-profit hospitals, health systems, and affiliated clinics. This financial help is available whether they have health coverage or not and applies after insurance is billed. When a patient receives care from a participating facility, they should request cost financial assistance.

Most Oregon hospitals and their health systems and affiliated clinics are not-for profit. Some examples of non-participating facilities are Zoom Care, McKenzie Willamette (Eugene), Willamette Valley (McMinnville), some standalone urgent care offices, and ambulatory surgery centers. These facilities may have other financial assistance programs.

This information has been shared with Marketplace Community Partners and Insurance Agents to help DACA recipients understand plan options and give them advice. For more information, including eligibility, plan comparisons, and how to enroll, visit the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace website (OregonHealthCare.gov) or call the Marketplace’s toll-free number at 855-268-3767 (all relay calls accepted).


​​Enhanced Premium Tax Credit Expiration in Oregon (PDF)​​

A federal district court judge issued a preliminary injunction in a lawsuit brought by 23 states, including Oregon, against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) over the termination of public health and behavioral health grants, without cause or authority. This ruling ensures federal funding can continue flowing while litigation proceeds. 

HHS, through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), had abruptly terminated roughly $117 million in COVID-era grants and funding for Oregon Health Authority programs, an impact that would have been felt in all nine federally recognized Tribal communities and in every county in Oregon. To learn about what programs were impacted by the reductions, click here

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  • ​​​OHA continues to be guided by its strategic plan to eliminate health inequities by 2030. Achieving this goal would ensure that all people i​n Oregon can reach their full health potential and do not face disadvantages due to where they live or their race, ethnicity, spoken language, disability, immigration status​, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or social class. OHA is determined to remove unfair barriers that limit health care access and lead to health disparities for too many Oregonians.
  • ​​Attorney General Dan​ Rayfield has issued a statement on Multi-State Guidance here: Multi-State Guidance Concerning Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Employment Initiative
    • The guidance covers the following sections:
      1. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Initiatives Help Busine​sses Prevent Workplace Discrimination
      2. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Initiatives are Consistent with Federal and State Law
      3. Best Practices for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility
      4. Recruitment and Hiring​
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There have been no changes to OHP billing or services, due to recent federal announcements. The Medicaid payment system was offline temporarily on Jan. 28, but is back up.

Medicaid partners and providers are encouraged to take proactive steps to safeguard Protected Health Information (PHI) and Personally Identifiable Information (PII) to ensure operational continuity. Cyber resilience is a shared responsibility that extends to all state employees, volunteers, providers, contractors and vendors. Member data, including Race Ethnicity Language and Disability Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (REALD SOGI) and immigration data, should not be shared with anyone, including with federal authorities without a subpoena.   ​

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Immigration help

Oregon's Sanctuary Promise

Oregon has laws that help protect all people, no matter where they are from. ODHS workers follow these laws and will only share your immigration information if the law says they must.

You can:

Effective September 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (U.S. DHS) has removed federal regulations that have governed public charge determinations since 2022. The 2022 rules provided regulatory standards used by federal immigration officers when deciding if a person can get a visa to enter the United States or receive a green card. Because the regulatory standards will no longer exist, immigration officers will be allowed to consider more types of public benefits when deciding if someone is likely to become a public charge. This includes local, state, or federal means-tested public benefits, such as medical, food, housing, cash, or childcare assistance. U.S. DHS is supposed to issue additional guidance for immigration officers before September 18.

The public charge requirements do not apply to everyone. Many immigrants are exempt because of their immigration status and do not have to worry about the public charge determination. Because immigration laws are complex, people should understand how the rule applies to their specific immigration status before deciding whether to apply for or use benefits.

What this means for you

  • The new federal rule change does not change who is eligible to receive benefits. If you qualify for benefits, you can still apply and receive those benefits.
  • The new rule change also does not reduce or change the benefits available to you.
  • The new rule change does allow immigration officers to consider more types of public benefits when determining whether someone is likely to become a public charge.
  • The new public charge determination process starts on September 18, 2026.
  • The federal rule announcement explains that benefits received before September 18, 2026, will not be considered under the new public charge determination process.

What we are doing:

  • Reviewing the final federal rulemaking notice.
  • Coordinating with the Oregon Department of Justice and other state agency partners.
  • Working with community organizations to understand how families and communities may be affected.
  • Preparing updated guidance for staff, partners, and the public once federal guidance is issued.

Where to get help:

If you have questions about how the public charge rule may affect your immigration status:

If you have questions about your OHA benefits:

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You can also find trusted information and resources on the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement (OIRA) webpage, including resources for immigrants, refugees, and mixed-status families in Oregon.

The materials on this page are not intended to be and should not be construed as legal advice.

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Other resources