August 15, 2011

This edition of the Oregon Health Authority and Oregon Health Policy Board e-Bulletin features the latest news on the HB 3650 Work Group announcement, a feature on the OHA and Northwest Health Foundation Story Bank, and an invitation to AIM 2011: Innovating for Health Oregonians.

HB 3650 Work Groups Announced
On Aug. 3, Governor John Kitzhaber announced the appointment of 133 members to the Oregon Health Policy Board's four health transformation work groups for House Bill 3650.

The newly appointed members represent health care sectors and communities across the state and will serve on one of four groups. The landmark health care legislation, which passed with strong bipartisan support, set a vision for improving health and the quality of care while lowering costs for Oregon Health Plan participants.

"In Oregon, we have already shown the willingness to envision a health care system that works for everyone," said Governor Kitzhaber in a release announcing the groups. "These work groups will be critical to making that vision a reality, and I thank everyone who is helping us carry out this effort."

Under HB 3650, local Coordinated Care Organizations (CCO) would be established for physical, mental, oral, and other care. These organizations would be given flexibility and incentives for care that keeps people healthier, including preventive services and team-based care for chronic illnesses.

"Across the state, people are working for better health for Oregonians," said Eric Parsons, chair of the Oregon Health Policy Board in the released statement. "We have an opportunity in our state to remake the health system to take a more common sense approach to increase efficiency and reduce waste. The people who have stepped up and volunteered for this work are going to help us get there."

The work groups will meet between August and November and will inform the development of the final plan sent to the legislature. Upon legislative approval in February 2012, the first CCO would begin providing coordinated services in 2012.

The four transformation work groups, their members and charters are listed at health.oregon.gov.

Expected in the next few weeks is an announcement about the membership of the new Oregon Health Insurance Exchange Board of Directors. Additionally, the Governor's office and Oregon Health Authority are working with Oregon's nine federally recognized tribes to ensure they are involved as our state moves forward for better health.

Materials available at health.oregon.gov
We have created a new website for health reform in Oregon. At health.oregon.gov there are many resoureces available for your information and for your use when talking about health reform in our state. On the site, you will find printable a fact sheets and "frequently asked questions" for Coordinated Care Organizations and the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange. More materials will be added in the weeks to come.

Every month the e-bulletin includes an example or two of a story that exemplifies Oregon's commitment to the right care at the right time in the right place. This month, we thought it was time to expand a bit on the Northwest Health Foundation's and Oregon Health Authority's joint project to create a health care story bank that helps consumers, advocates, media, and doctors alike better understand how health care affects real lives.

The stories are posted on the OHA website, where anyone can access and read them. As of late July, the OHA Story Bank includes dozens of stories collected by OHA writers. Be sure to take a look - you are likely to find something that will surprise or inspire you. Feel free to use these examples as you tell the story of health reform in Oregon. And while you're at it, contact us with your own stories about health care, health reform, and new ways that Oregonians can help improve the health and lives of those around us.

Visit the OHA and NWHF Story Bank

Portland State University's Center for Public Service and the Oregon Health Authority's Office of Health Information Technology invite you to attend a groundbreaking conference uncovering the promise that health information exchange and electronic health records bring to the world of health care.

AIM 2011 will bring together key stakeholders from every sector of health care, including business, government, and nonprofit associations. Together, attendees will share the latest trends, implementation strategies and lessons from across the country on electronic health records and health information exchange (HIE).

AIM 2011 :

• State and national health care policy leaders
• Health care technology and service vendor fair
• Post-conference reception with attendees

Keynote speakers include the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, Farzad Mostashari, MD, and OHA Director Bruce Goldberg, MD.

Join us! - AIMOregon.com

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
View calendar of health reform meetings

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.