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Oregon Health Authority

REALD & SOGI

What is REALD and SOGI?

REALD and SOGI are sets of standardized questions and data about a person's: 
Race, Ethnicity, and Language, Disability (REALD) and
Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity (SOGI)
Collecting REALD and SOGI information helps us understand who is most impacted by health inequities and how we can best support these community members access the services and resources they need to be healthy and thrive.

REALD & SOGI Data Collection Standards (ORS 413.161)

​In early 2014, REALD standards were finalized in the Oregon Administrative Rules after a series of public hearings and opportunities for public comment. This established OARs for REALD and ORS 413.161.

In 2020, the Oregon legislature passed House Bill 4212 that requires health care providers to collect REALD at healthcare encounters related to COVID-19 and report this information to OHA. 

In 2021, Oregon legislature passed House Bill 3159, which adds SOGI questions, builds a data collection system, develops reporting requirements (including rulemaking), and creates a grant program to help community partners and community-based organizations serving underrepresented populations report this data. HB 3159 expanded ORS 413.161.​

On July 2, 2024, the OARs were approved by the Secretary of State. The REALD and SOGI Permanent Rules 7/2/2024 are posted to the Equity and Inclusion Division's Rulemaking page. 

​HB 3159 directs OHA to create a robust, secure, and efficient system of data collection, storage and reporting for REALD and SOGI data to support OHA’s vision of eliminating health inequities by 2030. 

OHA plans to have this new system active no sooner than late 2026. 

Once this system is active:

  • Providers and insurers will need to submit REALD and SOGI data at least annually regardless of type of encounter.

  • Providers and health plans will be able to query the registry for information on their patients.

  • Patients will also be able to add and update information in the registry directly.

​OHA must establish a data system (Registry) for collecting REALD and SOGI data. The registry must allow:

  • All users to submit data at least annually.

  • Patients/members/clients to directly submit data.

  • ​Providers, insurers and CCOs to electronically submit data, query the registry to de​termine if data is current, and report to OHA that a patient/client/member refused to answer the REALD and SOGI questions.

​Under HB 3159 OHA is required to establish rules for:

  • Collecting, transmitting and reporting the data.

  • The timelines for collection and submission of data.

  • The criteria for extensions of timelines and a process for reviewing requests for extensions.

  • The criteria for exempting certain health care providers or classes of health care providers from REALD and SOGI collection and reporting requirements and a process for reviewing requests for exemptions.

  • Allowing data to be submitted in paper or electronic form.

  • Requiring CCOs, providers and insurers to inform patients/client/members how the data will be used and how it cannot be used; and that they are not required to answer.

  • Provider incentives to help defer implementation costs.   

HB 3159 also directs that:

  • REALD and SOGI data be considered confidential and only released publicly in the aggregate.

  • OHA monitor compliance. 

    • OHA can but is not required to impose civil penalties.

    • OHA can't impose any penalties or enforce the provisions of HB 3159 until the Registry and a process for submitting the data are established.

REALD & SOGI Research

Language Research:

Disability Research:

SOGI Research:
More research will be shared soon!

Reports

For more information:

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