A proposal aimed at preserving access to reproductive and preventive health services in Oregon is moving forward in the Legislature after receiving approval from the House Committee on Health Care. House Bill 4127 would authorize the state to provide funding to Planned Parenthood health centers if federal Medicaid reimbursements are restricted, ensuring that patients continue to receive care without interruption.
The measure comes in response to a federal budget bill enacted on July 4, 2025, by the Trump Administration that blocks certain “prohibited entities” from receiving Medicaid reimbursements for one year. According to Democratic lawmakers backing HB 4127, the language is structured in a way that specifically affects Planned Parenthood organizations.
In Oregon, Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette and Planned Parenthood Southern Oregon operate 11 health centers across the state, as well as one in Vancouver, Washington. During fiscal year 2025, the two organizations collectively provided nearly 100,000 patient visits. Those visits included cancer screenings, sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment, contraceptive services, and other forms of reproductive and preventive health care.
Supporters of HB 4127 argue that without state intervention, tens of thousands of Oregonians who rely on the Oregon Health Plan, the state’s Medicaid program, could lose access to essential medical services.
“We cannot let tens of thousands of Oregonians lose access to essential health care because of decisions made at the federal level,” said House Majority Leader Ben Bowman, a Democrat representing Tigard, Metzger and South Beaverton. “Today’s vote moves Oregon one step closer to protecting access to cancer screenings, STI testing, and comprehensive reproductive health care for all Oregonians. We will not allow the Trump Administration to shut down Planned Parenthood in Oregon.”
The legislation specifies that it does not allocate funding for abortion services. Under the Hyde Amendment, federal Medicaid dollars cannot be used for abortion care except in limited circumstances. Instead, HB 4127 would allow Oregon to direct state funds to cover other qualifying services typically reimbursed through Medicaid, including preventive screenings, contraception, and testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections.
Representative April Dobson, a Democrat representing Happy Valley and North Clackamas County, described the federal action as an effort that would limit access to health care under the broader debate over abortion policy.
“When Washington, D.C. politicians try to take away essential healthcare from Oregonians, and close clinics as part of a back-door abortion ban, we have to stand up for the people of this state and say no,” Dobson said.
Representative Rieke Smith, a Democrat representing Wilsonville, Sherwood, King City and Tigard, said the bill is focused on maintaining services for Medicaid recipients. “Today’s vote on HB 4127 is about keeping our promises to Oregonians who rely on Medicaid for basic, lifesaving reproductive health care,” Smith said. “This bill is a clear statement that, no matter your ZIP code, income, or immigration status, you deserve timely access to care.”
Under the proposal, if federal funding restrictions prevent nonprofit reproductive health providers from receiving Medicaid reimbursement, Oregon would step in with state funding to fill the gap. Lawmakers backing the measure say this approach is intended to provide continuity of care and prevent clinic closures that could disrupt services for low income patients.
Representative Rob Nosse, a Democrat representing inner Southeast and Northeast Portland and chair of the House Committee on Health Care, expressed strong support for the measure after it cleared committee. “I am thrilled House Bill 4127 passed out of the House Committee on Health Care,” Nosse said. “While the federal government is going out of its way to harm Oregonians, the Oregon legislature is standing up for reproductive health and this amazing organization. I look forward to voting on this bill on the House floor.”
HB 4127 now heads to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means, where lawmakers will examine its fiscal impact and determine whether to allocate state funds to implement the policy. If approved there, the bill would return to the House floor for a full vote before advancing to the Senate for further consideration.
The debate surrounding the bill highlights the broader tension between federal health policy decisions and state efforts to maintain access to care. As the legislative process continues, the outcome will determine whether Oregon steps in to replace federal Medicaid reimbursements and preserve funding streams for Planned Parenthood health centers serving patients across the state.