The Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) posted its draft agenda and meeting materials for the February 18 meeting. Check the PDAB website for updates prior to the meeting. Register in advance.

Also in Oregon, the PDAB published its quarterly newsletter for January 2026. Past editions are available online.

Also in Oregon, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) published a temporary rule adopting the new version of the High-Cost Drug Carve-Out (HCDCO) List effective February 1. In September 2025, OHA leadership and the Governor’s office agreed to implement a number of changes effective January 2026 that would reduce costs and administrative burden for coordinated care organizations (CCOs). Starting January 1, 2026, select high-cost drugs are carved out from CCO capitation. This is referred to as the High-Cost Drug Carve-Out (HCDCO). OHA reviews prior authorization (PA) requests for HCDCO products. Approved treatments will be covered by OHA directly on a fee-for-service (FFS) basis according to FFS reimbursement rules. CCOs are responsible for everything else, including care coordination, drug administration, inpatient stays, transportation, etc. There are 47 drugs on the initial HCDCO List. They all have a high cost ($500k or more per member per year) and treat a rare condition that has few, if any, other treatment alternatives. New drugs requested for review may be added to the HCDCO List up to four times a year following the rulemaking process if they meet these criteria.

Finally in Oregon, the Department of Human Services announced a new resource to help promote food resources across the state. Individuals may visit NeedFood.Oregon.gov to find food resources near them.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

Below are highlights from a recent review of the state's Rural Health Transformation Program website. Members are encouraged to review the website for additional insights into the state's plan. Also, please sign up for the newsletter to receive updates directly. For questions or additional information, please contact: RHTP@oha.oregon.gov.  

RHTP Timeline 

Anticipated medium-term activities in 2026 include:  

• Spring 2026: Oregon begins releasing Request for Grant Application (RFGA) to support approved RHTP initiatives. 

• Early Summer 2026: RFGA response deadlines. 

• By Mid-2026: RFGA awardee decisions announced by OHA. 

Anticipated long-term activities in 2027 and beyond include:  

• By September 30, 2027: Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2026 RHTP distributions used. 

• October 1, 2027 – September 30, 2031: Additional RHTP distributions used in subsequent FFYs. 

• September 30, 2031: RHTP funding ends. 

December 2, 2025, Informational Webinar: Please note Implementation/Distribution Timeline and Next Steps. 

• Informational Webinar Recording​ 

• ​Presentation Slide Deck​ 

Rural Health Transformation Program: Allowable Use of Funds: Visit the Rural Health Transformation Program website and scroll down to "Rural Health Transformation Program: Allowable Use of Funds".  

Frequently Asked Questions: Please note that these will be updated regularly. (Accessed on February 3, 2026) Visit the Rural Health Transformation Program website and scroll down to "Frequently Asked Questions:" Below are the categories of information. 

• General 

• Application and award 

• Use of funds and limitations 

• Program eligibility 

• Program design 

Also in Oregon, the Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) posted its draft agenda for the February 18 meeting. Check the PDAB website for updates to the agenda and the meeting materials. Register in advance. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

As a member of the West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA), the Oregon Health Authority announced endorsement of the 2026 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule.  

Also in Oregon, the Board of Pharmacy posted the February 11-13, 2026 Board Meeting Agenda and meeting materials.  

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

The Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) posted its draft agenda and meeting materials for the January 21 meeting. Check the PDAB website for updates to the agenda and the meeting materials. Register in advance.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

The state received $197.3 million in 2026 to improve rural healthcare and could receive more in the following four years. The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) will invest the federal funding in community-driven projects that improve healthcare access, boost chronic disease management and prevention, grow and sustain the healthcare workforce and expand the use of health technology and data in the state’s rural and frontier communities. OHA will move as fast as possible to distribute funding and plans to make two sets of awards in quick succession during 2026. Oregon initially requested $200 million annually, or a total of $1 billion over five years, from the federal program. OHA will scale down its original proposal to fit its given budget.

Also in Oregon, the Prescription Drug Affordability Board is seeking applicants to fill a vacancy, especially individuals with knowledge and experience in health care and prescription drug payment systems. The board consists of eight members appointed by the governor and confirmed by the State Senate. Members serve four years and can seek reappointment. The time commitment is about 15 hours per month, including virtual board meetings held on the third Wednesday each month. The new member will begin serving in mid-2026. Applicants should apply through Workday by January 30.

• Read a letter about serving on the board.

• APPLY NOW!

Also in Oregon, the Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) posted its draft agenda for the January 21 meeting. Check the PDAB website for updates to the agenda and the meeting materials. Register in advance.

Finally in Oregon, the Oregon Health Authority issued the following statement: West Coast Health Alliance continues to endorse AAP [American Academy of Pediatrics]-recommended child, adolescent immunization schedules.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is taking proactive steps to prepare for the potential launch of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) in the state. A key part of this effort is the release of a statewide Intent to Apply Survey to gather input from organizations across the state that plan to apply for future RHTP funding. For details about the survey, visit the RHTP website.

Survey Deadline: December 11, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. PT

Who should complete the survey?
Organizations that:

• Serve rural, frontier, or remote areas of Oregon
• Are in good standing with the State of Oregon

Even if your organization provided public comment in the fall, OHA encourages you to complete this survey.

Also in Oregon, the December 10-12 Board of Pharmacy Meeting agenda and meeting materials are now available.

Please note that on December 10, the board will meet in Executive Session for most of the day and anticipates resuming Open Session around 4:30 pm.

Please note that on December 11, the board anticipates meeting in Executive Session after roll call and resuming Open Session at 2:00 pm.

The board anticipates meeting in Open Session on December 12 and will break for lunch between 12:00 noon – 1:00 pm.

The Public may attend the board meeting in person during Open Session. Please see the meeting agenda for additional information. *Please be advised that additional meeting materials may be added to the agenda prior to the board meeting. Visit the board website for current meeting materials.

Also in Oregon, the Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS) announced TK Keen has been chosen as the state’s insurance commissioner. Keen has been serving in the acting insurance commissioner role since June and was deputy insurance commissioner for five years before that. He is also the administrator of the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR), part of DCBS.

Finally in Oregon, the Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) posted the draft agenda for the December 17 meeting. Check the PDAB website for updates to the agenda and the meeting materials. Register in advance.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

The Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) posted its draft agenda and meeting materials for the November 19 meeting. Check the PDAB website for updates to the agenda and the meeting materials. Register in advance.  

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

The Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) posted its draft agenda for the November 19 meeting. Check the PDAB website for updates to the agenda and the meeting materials. Register in advance.  

Also in Oregon, the Oregon Health Authority issued a notice of proposed rulemaking amending prior authorization criteria and preferred drug list to implement recommendations from the Drug Utilization Review / Pharmacy & Therapeutics action. A hearing is scheduled to be held on November 17 from 11:00 am – 11:45 am. See notice for details. 

Finally in Oregon, the Office of Governor Tina Kotek and Oregon Health Authority's (OHA) Public Health Division are seeking applicants for one position (member at large) on the state Public Health Advisory Board (PHAB). Please refer to the announcement for more information. 

OHA invites applicants from a wide range of backgrounds including pharmacists with experience in prevention, patient care or a public health issue. This term for this position is scheduled to begin January 1, 2026. 

Learn about the application process here. 

To apply, complete the electronic application process by November 30. 

These recruitments will remain open until filled. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

The Board of Pharmacy posted the agenda for its November 5 Strategic Planning Meeting agenda. The Board will meet virtually, and the meeting begins at 9:00 am.

Also in Oregon, the Board of Pharmacy Board of Pharmacy is proposing to adopt the following rules:

• Divs 041/115 – OHA Standing Order Prescription
• Div 104 – Criminal Conviction Determination Process

 The filing notices and proposed rule text are available on the Board’s website.

The November 25 Rulemaking Hearing will be held virtually via Teams and begins at 9:30 am.

If you wish to provide virtual oral testimony during the hearing, please complete and submit the Rulemaking Hearing Testimony Sign Up Form on the Board’s website. You may also sign up by submitting your first and last name, email address and which rule(s) you would like to comment on to pharmacy.rulemaking@bop.oregon.gov no later than 9:00 on November 25. You will receive a confirmation email and a calendar invitation to join the virtual hearing.

Written comments must be received by 4:30 pm on November 25. Submit written comments to pharmacy.rulemaking@bop.oregon.gov.

If you would like to listen to the rulemaking hearing, join the virtual Teams meeting or call:

(503) 446-4951 Phone Conference ID: 739 529 152#

Please email all rulemaking inquiries to pharmacy.rulemaking@bop.oregon.gov.

Finally in Oregon, the Board of Pharmacy permanently adopted the following rules at the October 2025 board meeting: Div 110 – Licensee & Registrant Fee Increase.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.