Q&A: Rachel Prusak wraps up the legislative session
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is the chair of the House Health Care Committee in the 2021 General Session. First elected to the Oregon House in 2018, Prusak is also a nurse practitioner and clinician.
In this Q&A, Prusak discusses the passage of Cover All People, telehealth access and other health care legislation from this session. She also discusses some of her bills that did not make it through and her interim plans.
Patrick Jones: How do you think the session went? How would you summarize the session?
Rachel Prusak: “In regards to the health care committee I chaired, I am really thankful. The Ways and Means Committee supported the policies that we wanted to move. I think we were really successful. I think that COVID-19 highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of our health care system by pulling the curtain back and exposing the existing disparities, which I have seen for decades as a clinician. It brought [disparities] to the forefront for everyone to see. We started with over 150 bills referred to the committee and I prioritized as much as possible, using the themes equity, access, cost and public health. I think that we did a really good job.”