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May 2, 2011 The second half of the 2011 legislative session has started with quick movement on health reforms for the state. Lawmakers have begun work on House Bill 3650, which creates coordinated care organizations to manage Medicaid dollars locally for better care and lower costs than those we have today. Meanwhile Oregon's bills to create a health insurance exchange and reduce administrative overhead have passed the Oregon Senate. And the Oregon Healthy Kids plan has now surpassed more than 85,000 children covered, allowing them access to preventive care and more secure lives. Read about all this and more in this month's Bulletin. Story Bank
The Oregon Health Authority, working in partnership with the Northwest Health Foundation, is collecting health care stories to show what's working - and what could be better - in our state's health system. Read the stories here and send us your stories. What's new?
Healthy Kids celebration marks more than 85,000 children insured Legislative updates
House Bill 3650The Joint Special Committee on Health Care has begun hearing public testimony on this legislation that would transform the health delivery system for Medicaid clients with an eye to better care and lower costs. The bill creates coordinated care organizations, which would be responsible for managing both the health and health care costs in local communities. The Joint Committee will continue to meet over the next several Wednesday nights until it has finalized legislation for the full Legislature to consider. HB 3650 in the news: "Cost of health care inaction too high," Statesman Journal, Opinion piece, Eric Parsons, Oregon Health Policy Board, April 24, 2011 "Better care, lower hospital costs through coordinated approach" OHA Web feature, April, 2011 Senate Bill 94This bill allows OHA and the Department of Consumer and Business Services to set uniform standards that simplify administrative processes between providers and payers. These processes include determining if someone has insurance, submitting a claim to be paid, prior authorizations, and provider credentialing. This bill was part of the Oregon Health Policy Board's Action Plan for Health. As a result of standardizing the initial processes, providers and payers are estimated to save nearly $100 million per year. This streamlining will allow providers to spend more time with patients and less time on paperwork. The bill passed the Senate 28 - 0 and is now being considered in the House. Senate Bill 95This bill passed the Senate 29 - 0 and passed out of the House Health Care Committee with a "do pass" recommendation. It will soon move to the House floor for a vote. This bill was part of the Oregon Health Policy Board's Action Plan for Health. It provides that insurers cannot refuse to defend any physician being sued for malpractice because the provider disclosed an error to the patient or the patient's family. This bill encourages disclosure of medical errors and improved patient safety. Senate Bill 97This bill passed the Senate 22 - 7 and will now move to the House for consideration. Senate Bill 99This bill, which would establish Oregon's Health Insurance Exchange, passed the Senate 24 - 5 (1 absent) with broad bipartisan support. Senate Bill 99A ensures accountability to the public, consumers, Oregon Legislature, Governor and others through a consumer-focused mission and guiding principles, operational transparency, input from broad range of stakeholders, and consumer members on its board, among other provisions. The bill will move the House for consideration. SB 99 in the news: "A health insurance exchange should have Oregon's imprint," Oregonian editorial, April 24, 2011 Senate Bill 879This bill directs OHA to convene a work group to develop standards for administrative requirements such as background checks, immunizations and drug screenings for student placement in clinical training. This bill was part of the Oregon Health Policy Board's Action Plan for Health. These standards would make it easier for nurses and other providers to complete clinical rotations, particularly in rural communities. This bill passed the Senate 29-0 and will now be considered in the House. OHPB update
The next Oregon Health Policy meeting takes place May 10, 2011. Stay involved!
Connect with us: Use Facebook.com/OregonHealthAuthority and Twitter.com/OHAOregon to find out about OHA events, public input opportunities, transition updates, and federal and state health reform news. Send input and comments to OHPB at ohpb.info@state.or.us |
The Oregon Health Authority is the organization at the forefront of lowering and containing costs, improving quality, and increasing access to health care in order to improve the lifelong health in Oregon. The Oregon Health Authority is overseen by the nine-member citizen Oregon Health Policy Board working towards comprehensive health and health care reform in our state. |
