Sen. Hayden: Senate passes SB 945, help for foster youth

By Senator Cedric Hayden
March 25, 2025

Today, the Oregon Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 945, a measure introduced by Senator Cedric Hayden (R-Fall Creek) to ensure all former foster youth living in Oregon have access to medical assistance until age 26.

Current law provides Medicaid coverage for individuals who age out of Oregon’s foster care system, but those who move to Oregon from another state are not eligible. SB 945 guarantees health care access for all former foster youth, regardless of where they were in foster care. The bill also directs the Oregon Health Authority to seek federal matching funds to support this coverage.

“Foster youth face enough challenges as they transition into adulthood. Losing health care shouldn’t be one of them,” said Senator Hayden. “SB 945 ensures that all former foster kids residing in Oregon have the same access to coverage, whether they grew up here or moved here later in life.”

Under the Affordable Care Act, a child whose parents have health care is entitled to remain on their parents’ plan until age 26.

“SB 945 recognizes that some kids leave the foster care system without ever having had the benefit of a permanent, stable, and loving family to help them move forward and reach their goals,” Hayden added. “In this case, we are that parent, providing health care under the ACA. SB 945 allows foster youth from any state to come to Oregon for school, work, and the hope of a better future, even if the hand they were dealt early in life wasn’t a favorable one.”

Senator Hayden also noted that SB 945 furthers his goal of closing the gaps in health care, as Oregon’s health coverage has dropped from 97% to 94% in recent years.

“We have cracks in our health care system where people are missing out on coverage. Whether it’s a bill like SB 945, or efforts to expand coverage to adults with rare diseases, people in our COFA population, or veterans who need dental care, we must close all these gaps. Doing so will ultimately make Oregonians healthier,” Hayden concluded.

A former Medicaid dentist practitioner, Senator Hayden has focused much of his legislative work on addressing gaps in health coverage for Oregonians in need of health insurance. SB 945 now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.