oregon health authority

Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber and Obama Administration Announce Agreement to Improve Care for Oregonians on Medicaid

Care coordination will improve health, achieve $11 billion in savings. Innovations mirror national reforms made possible by Affordable Care Act

May 3, 2012 --Governor Kitzhaber and the Obama Administration today announced an agreement in principle to coordinate care for Medicaid beneficiaries in Oregon, through a new model of care that will reduce the cost trend in Oregon’s Medicaid program by at least two percentage points within two years while improving health outcomes. Read More >>

Counties Hurt by Reduced HIV Prevention Funding

Throughout the state, counties could lose 30 percent of their budgets as a result of funding cut by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

May 1, 2012 – When the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced it was changing the funding algorithm for HIV prevention last year, health officials knew they’d see a reduction in funds because Oregon is considered a low-prevalence state. Read More >>

Consumer Advocates Create Watchdog Group to Monitor CCO Development

By sharing information and resources, they hope to make a stronger impact on CCO development

April 27, 2012—Healthcare and social justice advocates are joining together to form an ad-hoc “CCO Watchdog” group to closely monitor the implementation of coordinated care organizations throughout the state and advocate on behalf of Oregon Health Plan members. Read More >>

Oregon Selected For a National Pilot Project to Improve the Use of Psychotropic Medications Among Children in Foster Care

Multi-year quality improvement initiative awarded based on state’s progress

April 13, 2012 -- Oregon continues efforts to ensure the most appropriate use of psychotropic medications in the child welfare system. Based on this progress, the Department of Human Services (DHS) and Oregon Health Authority (OHA) announced today that Oregon has been chosen as one of five states that will be part of a national pilot project focused on improving use of medication among children and adolescents in foster care with mental and behavioral health needs. Read More >>

Panel Discussion on the Role of Coordinated Care Organizations in Improving The Public’s Health on April 4

Discussion is featured as part of Oregon Public Health Week: a Healthier Oregon Begins Today

March 27, 2012 -- Oregon Health Authority’s Public Health Division is hosting a panel of experts to discuss, “Improving the Public Health: The Role of Coordinated Care Organizations.” Read More >>

Additional Medicaid Funds Available to Oregon’s Recognized Primary Care Providers

The funds will help recognized providers deliver care that is more patient-centered

March 26, 2012 -- Healthcare clinics across Oregon that are recognized as “primary care homes” can now apply to receive additional Medicaid funding to support the comprehensive, coordinated and patient-centered care they offer patients and communities. Read More >>

Coordinated Care Organizations: Final Request for Application Available

March 21, 2012 -- Interested Coordinated Care Organizations (CCOs) can now begin the application process. The final Request for Application (RFA) for CCOs has been posted online at the CCO website. Read More >>

Governor Kitzhaber Issues Call for Nominations

March 13, 2012-- Oregon passed historic health care legislation this past legislative session to move forward its health insurance exchange and to begin transforming and improving care under the Oregon Health Plan. Our continued success in the implementation of state and federal health reform will continue to require strong public participation. To that end, Governor Kitzhaber is calling for nominations for people to participate in a process to help define the state’s essential health benefits. Read More >>

Budget Rebalance Largely Spares Oregon Health Authority

Services are largely preserved, but four wards at the new Oregon State Hospital won’t open until at least 2013

March 8, 2012—The state’s rebalanced budget, one of the last bills the Legislature passed before adjourning Monday evening, largely spares the Oregon Health Authority from deep cuts. Read More >>