Oregon AG Rayfield Provides Outlook for CCOs Amid Federal Uncertainty

Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield.

Immigration

According to the federal register, Trump has signed 93 executive orders so far this year. Rayfield said the role of the DOJ is to make sure, as the administration works to achieve its aims, “they’re doing so constitutionally and they’re doing it through the rule of law.”

For example, Rayfield said Oregon has signed onto a lawsuit alongside Washington, Arizona, and Illinois challenging the administration’s attempt to end birthright citizenship.

“That was something Republicans and Democrats alike are thinking, ‘OK, this is a stretch too far,’” Rayfield said.

Asked about how Oregon’s status as a sanctuary state for immigrants could affect Medicaid and health care programs, Rayfield said he expects there could be targeted attacks, however those laws have coexisted with multiple past administrations.

“I feel very, very secure in the way things are right now,” Rayfield said. “These laws have been tested in the past and they’ve been completely upheld.”

Loan Forgiveness

Several COHO members are nonprofit organizations whose employees rely on the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Rayfield said it remains to be seen how loan forgiveness might be affected for providers in Oregon given the state’s sanctuary state status and the administration’s immigration policy.

“There’s a whole host of things that are being impacted — especially right now, you have the Department of Education — and there’s a lot of questions,” Rayfield said. “And I think the biggest issue that we’re really starting to see is that there is chaos and disincentives and a chilling impact on the way that these things are being undertaken.”

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Given recent federal directives around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, COHO members also questioned Rayfield about how their own focus on health equity initiatives could be affected going forward.

Rayfield said the current risk to federal funding appears to be low, though that could change if the Republican-controlled Congress decides to add conditions to certain grants.

“Each situation is a little bit unique,” he said. “Once you get through into the congressional side of things, obviously they can put language into anything at that point.”

Agency Transparency

Outside of the federal realm, Rayfield said the Department of Justice under his leadership will be taking a different tack when it comes to communicating about state agencies asserting attorney-client privilege to boost transparency and decision-making.

On things like contract reviews, Rayfield said he plans to pivot the DOJ away from attorney-client privilege to set clearer expectations.

“That is a big, a monstrous turn in the direction of a very large ship, and culturally that has not been the way things have been done at DOJ,” he said.

Rayfield said he continues to work on stabilizing the foundation at the DOJ and looks forward to hearing from stakeholders like COHO on how the agency can run better.