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Oregon Lawmakers Push Bill to Curb Insurer Clinic Ownership

9/18/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Lawmakers, including Sen. Jeff Merkley, introduced the Patients Over Profits Act to stop health insurers from owning medical clinics in Oregon.
The bill seeks to eliminate conflicts of interest and safeguard patient care amid rising health care consolidation.
Criticism has arisen against Optum, a UnitedHealth Group subsidiary, for its acquisitions, which have led to provider exits and higher costs.
The legislation mandates insurers to divest from Medicare-billing clinics and bans federal contracts with these insurers.
Oregon's Health Care Market Oversight program, initiated in 2021, aims to manage health care consolidation, but the bill faces congressional hurdles due to insurer lobbying.

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Story summary

Lawmakers, including Sen. Jeff Merkley, introduced the Patients Over Profits Act to stop health insurers from owning medical clinics in Oregon.
The bill seeks to eliminate conflicts of interest and safeguard patient care amid rising health care consolidation.
Criticism has arisen against Optum, a UnitedHealth Group subsidiary, for its acquisitions, which have led to provider exits and higher costs.
The legislation mandates insurers to divest from Medicare-billing clinics and bans federal contracts with these insurers.
Oregon's Health Care Market Oversight program, initiated in 2021, aims to manage health care consolidation, but the bill faces congressional hurdles due to insurer lobbying.