The Affordable Care Act means most people now have health insurance.
For hospitals, that means they no longer have to spend a fortune treating people without insurance.
So now, to show they should still be regarded as nonprofits that provide a community benefit, some hospitals are saying the low fees they get for Medicare should be regarded as a "community benefit."
Democratic Rep. Mitch Greenlick is trying to stop the practice.
“What I’m trying to do is negotiate a bill that the hospital association will feel comfortable with. If not, I think I’ll have the votes to pass it anyway,” he said.
A spokesperson with the Oregon Hospital Association said efforts to change the Affordable Care Act mean hospitals need flexibility in how community benefit is defined.
He also pointed out hospitals spent a record sum on community benefit in 2015.
Copyright 2017 Oregon Public Broadcasting
