Oregon health authorities want to ensure individuals who are tested for coronavirus face “no charges,” a top official told lawmakers Wednesday.

Only 48 Oregonians have been tested through Wednesday, with an additional 13 awaiting results. But public demand for the state-rationed tests is expected to skyrocket after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention loosened its guidance to allow for wider testing based on doctors’ requests.

Lillian Shirley, director of public health for the Oregon Health Authority, told lawmakers Wednesday that the state is working to limit testing costs for individuals.

Right now, Oregon has obtained about 1,500 tests from the CDC. Individuals who already have been checked using those tests have not been charged, she said.

Shirley said the state is now working with Medicaid and insurance providers in Oregon so “there will be no copays, there will be no charges” for future testing.

Shirley did not provide additional details about how the state would ensure that happens, and lawmakers didn’t press for assurances. Her comments seem geared not toward the state-controlled tests but the eventual distribution of commercial tests, which the federal government has said will eventually become available for wider use.

Shirley made her statements to lawmakers during a joint meeting between the House and Senate human services committees. One of Gov. Kate Brown’s aides expressed similar sentiments earlier this week.

Tina Edlund, Brown’s health policy advisor, wrote in an email Monday that “it’s worth exploring waiving co-pays and deductibles for these tests.”

Edlund was responding to Chuck Sheketoff, the former executive director of the Oregon Center for Public Policy. Sheketoff told Edlund he knew someone who was worried she could not afford a coronavirus test because of a high-deductible health plan.

Sheketoff shared the email exchange with The Oregonian/OregonLive.

“Cost should not be an obstacle to getting needed tests,” Edlund wrote. “I’m looking into what might be possible.”

-- Brad Schmidt; bschmidt@oregonian.com; 503-294-7628; @_brad_schmidt