Salem – The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation’s (DFR) Drug Price Transparency Program is seeking the public’s input on high prescription drug prices. Consumers are encouraged to report prescription drug price increases on DFR’s website, dfr.oregon.gov/rxdrugprices.
If anyone needs help completing this form, or has questions, they can call the message line at 833-210-4560 (toll-free) and leave a message with the best time to call back. Individuals can also reach DFR by email at rx.prices@dcbs.oregon.gov.
Getting information directly from consumers will help DFR have more accurate information about how consumers are affected by high or increased costs of their prescription drugs. This will help the division inform the Oregon Legislature in DFR’s annual report, which is expected to come out in December. Consumers can also view the data on the DFR website and provide stories for the annual hearing and report.
“We recognize that prescription drug costs are increasing and the impact this has on Oregonians on a daily basis,” DFR Administrator TK Keen said. “Our hope is to get input from the public so we can inform policymakers and researchers alike on prescription drug costs.”
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About Oregon DFR: The Division of Financial Regulation protects consumers and regulates insurance, depository institutions, trust companies, securities, and consumer financial products and services. The division is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. Visit dfr.oregon.gov and dcbs.oregon.gov.
Salem – With wildfires raging across the state, the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) wants to make sure people are taken care of in the event of a catastrophe and warned of those who may want to take advantage of a vulnerable situation.
One of those ways is through an assignment of benefits (AOB) agreement, which is a contract between a homeowner and a third party that transfers the insurance claim rights or benefits in an insurance policy to the third party. This allows the third party, which is typically a contractor, plumber, roofer, or other construction professional, to file the claim, make decisions about home repairs, and collect insurance payments without involving the homeowner.
DFR stresses that you are not required to enter an AOB with a third party to have repairs done – you can file a claim directly to your insurance company.
An AOB can be a useful tool for getting repairs done, as it allows the repair company to deal directly with an insurance company when negotiating repairs. It also allows the insurer to pay the repair company directly. However, an AOB is a legal contract, so policyholders need to understand the rights they are signing away and make sure the repair company is trustworthy. Here are some reminders:
- With an AOB, the third party, like a roofing company or plumber, may file your claim, make repair decisions, and collect insurance payments without your involvement. They can also sue your insurer, and you can lose your right to mediation.
- Once you have signed an AOB, your insurer only communicates with the third party.
- It is possible the third party may demand a higher claim payment than the insurer offers and then sue the insurer when it denies the claim.
“It is important for homeowners to know their rights and understand what they are agreeing to with an assignment of benefits,” said Andrew R. Stolfi, Oregon insurance commissioner and director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services. “Importantly, you are signing away your right to control many decisions related to the repair of your home. While this arrangement can be a good thing with the right contractor, it can result in a headache if it ends up in the wrong hands.”
DFR reminds homeowners to be diligent and alert for fraud. Home repair fraud is common after a natural disaster, and some contractors may prey on victims in hopes of making a quick buck. It is usually a good idea to do business with local businesses or trusted companies. Check references and talk to your friends and family. You should also always confirm that a contractor is licensed in the state of Oregon. Your insurance company may also have recommendations, and you should get more than one bid for your repairs.
Anyone who has questions or feels they may have been taken advantage of can always contact one of our consumer advocates at 888-877-4894 (toll-free) or through email at dfr.insurancehelp@dcbs.oregon.gov.
For more information about AOB agreements, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners offers additional resources and information. DFR also has resources on understanding homeowners insurance and other insurance tips, including a brochure designed to help homeowners avoid disaster scams.
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About Oregon DFR: The Division of Financial Regulation protects consumers and regulates insurance, depository institutions, trust companies, securities, and consumer financial products and services. The division is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. Visit dfr.oregon.gov and dcbs.oregon.gov.
Salem – Student loan borrowers faced significant confusion and frustration this past year in navigating the shifting landscape of loan repayment and forgiveness programs, according to a new report issued by Oregon’s student loan ombuds. Part of the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation, the student loan ombuds is tasked with helping guide borrowers through their options and navigate the confusing road that has become the world of student loans.
As part of the position, the legislature requires an annual report that highlights the work of the student loan ombuds. Lane Thompson, who has been in the position for more than two years, recently posted the second annual report.
Thompson said the past year has been challenging.
“After federal student loan payments were paused during the pandemic, the return to repayment last September was really messy,” she said. “There has been a lot of confusion, because the courts struck down some of the (Biden) administration’s attempts at a loan forgiveness program, complicating federal agencies ability to produce consistent messaging leading up to repayment.”
She said because the rules continue to change, it leads to frustration and confusion for both borrowers and servicers.
“The good news is that student loan cancellation is more available than ever and people are getting resolution through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program and the one-time account adjustment,” Thompson said. “This is especially true for those who have been making payments for a long time.”
Going into year three, Thompson said she is excited that her work will be able to help more people get clarity on their options and eligibility for student loan repayment programs.
“I think that’s the biggest impact I’m having on a day-to-day basis is that people can get help or answers from me,” she said. “We have more resources available and I am out doing more presentations to different organizations.”
The other area Thompson said where her office is having an impact is in helping student loan borrowers avoid scams.
“We are doing more outreach to help Oregonians protect themselves,” she said. “Fewer people are getting scammed and I think that’s because we have the licensing requirements, examinations taking place, and our advocates helping people navigate through difficult situations.”
Thompson said during this past year, she has sent information to borrowers in a much clearer way whether through more experience, online resources, brochures, and relationship building.
“They see me and know that there is a real person here to help them and that really helps,” she said.
Thompson said more relief could be coming.
“I was on a federal rulemaking committee that worked on specific debt forgiveness rules under the higher education act, and there is some debt relief coming out for people who really need it in the near future,” she said. “There will continue to be changes to the rules and I feel confident that our office will continue to be a good resource as circumstances continue to shift.”
If you have questions about your student loans or issues with your loan providers, contact Thompson at 888-877-4894 (toll-free) or Dfr.bankingproducthelp@dcbs.oregon.gov.
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About Oregon DFR: The Division of Financial Regulation protects consumers and regulates insurance, depository institutions, trust companies, securities, and consumer financial products and services. The division is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. Visit dfr.oregon.gov and dcbs.oregon.gov.
July 8, 2024
Salem – The Universal Health Plan Governance Board (UHPGB) is recruiting members of the public to volunteer to join its work.
The Oregon Legislature created the Universal Health Plan Governance Board with Senate Bill 1089 in 2023. The board is charged with developing a comprehensive plan to finance and administer a universal health plan for all Oregon residents. The board is seeking committee members to help create the plan, which is due to be presented to Gov. Tina Kotek and the Legislature by September 2026.
The board will select members of the public to serve on four committees:
- Community Engagement and Communications
- Finance and Revenue
- Plan Design and Expenditures
- Operations and Transition
“The work of these committees will be the basis of our recommendations for a new universal, simplified, high-quality health care system in Oregon,” said Dr. Helen Bellanca, UHPGB chairperson. “It is both challenging and exciting. We need to tap into the broad knowledge, expertise, and lived experiences of people from all around our state to be successful.”
Each committee will have board members serve as a chairperson and a board liaison; the committees will also have additional community members, experts, or interested parties. The board is recruiting people with expertise, as well as those with lived experience to serve on one of the four committees. The following is a summary of the deliverables for each committee and some of the skills and perspectives needed.
Committees:
Community Engagement and Communications – Develop recommendations on community engagement and communications materials that will reach businesses, health care providers, and the public. This includes focused engagement with interested parties as called out in the legislation that created the board. Committee members may have lived experience or knowledge of specific industries and communities affected by a universal health plan.
Finance and Revenue – Develop recommendations to the board on a unified financing strategy for the universal health plan. Committee members may have knowledge of finance and revenue, business administration of health care benefits, and Oregon’s taxation system.
Plan Design and Expenditures – Make recommendations to the board on the elements of the universal health plan, including eligibility, benefit design, quality improvement, provider reimbursements, cost containment strategies, and workforce needs. Committee members will need to have experience and knowledge of the health care industry as a consumer, provider, or academic.
Operations – Make recommendations to the board on the future operations of a new public corporation dedicated to providing health care for all people who live in Oregon. This committee also will be responsible for a transition plan from the status quo to a universal health plan. Committee members will need to be interested in, and have knowledge of, health plan operations.
To ensure equitable representation, the board is seeking diverse representatives from all identities and areas of the state.
To apply, complete the UHPGB committee application online at oregon.gov/uhpgb. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 28. For questions or help, contact the Universal Health Plan Governance Board at uhpgb.info@dcbs.oregon.gov.
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About UHPGB: The Oregon Legislature created the Universal Health Plan Governance Board with Senate Bill 1089 in 2023. The board is charged with developing a comprehensive plan to finance and administer a universal health plan, which is due to the Legislature no later than Sept. 15, 2026. For more information, visit oregon.gov/uhpgb.
Salem – As temperatures rise and the risk of heat illness in the workplace increases, Oregon OSHA reminds employers to follow requirements designed to help protect workers from the hazards of extreme heat. The division offers free resources to help employers comply with the requirements.
Oregon OSHA maintains a heat illness prevention rule under which employers must provide adequate water, rest, shade, training, acclimatization – which involves gradually adapting the body to work in the heat – and additional protective measures.
“Employers need to take the potential dangers of heat illness seriously, which means exercising vigilance and focusing on prevention,” said Renée Stapleton, administrator for Oregon OSHA. “We have many free resources to help them comply with our specific requirements, including practical guidance and helpful online trainings they can use now.”
Oregon OSHA’s heat illness prevention requirements apply across industries and where employers provide housing, including on farms. Under the Oregon Safe Employment Act, workers have a right to a safe and healthy workplace, the right to raise concerns free of retaliation, and employers must maintain safe and healthy workplaces.
The division urges employers to refresh their knowledge of the general workplace requirements and employer-provided housing requirements in these fact sheets:
- Key requirements for general workplaces – English/Spanish
- Key requirements for employer-provided housing – English/Spanish
All heat illness prevention resources are available on Oregon OSHA's A-to-Z topic index page. They include a video training in English and Spanish that satisfies certain training elements of the heat rule.
Oregon OSHA also offers:
Consultation services – provides free and confidential help with safety and health programs, including how to control and eliminate hazards, and hands-on training. The services involve no fault, no citations, and no penalties.
- Phone (toll-free in Oregon): 800-922-2689
- Field offices
- Online
- Email: consult.web@dcbs.oregon.gov
Technical staff – helps employers understand requirements and how to apply them to their worksites
- Phone (toll-free in Oregon): 800-922-2689
- Online
- Email: tech.web@dcbs.oregon.gov
The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services, which includes Oregon OSHA, maintains the Multicultural Communications Program that provides outreach to communities with limited English proficiency. That outreach encompasses information about on-the-job safety and health.
The Ombuds Office for Oregon Workers provides help with understanding workplace safety and health rights, and workers’ compensation rights.
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About Oregon OSHA: Oregon OSHA enforces the state's workplace safety and health rules and works to improve workplace safety and health for all Oregon workers. The division is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. Visit osha.oregon.gov and dcbs.oregon.gov.