Chris Gray

DCBS Asks For Options to Well-Running Federal Website Due to Cost

A high cost estimate for the continued use of the federal health exchange has led the Department of Consumer & Business Services to consider other options, but consumers and insurance brokers might have good reason to be skeptical of the state abandoning a smooth-running federal website for another state-based website.

Dec 11, 2015

All-Payer, All-Claims Database Future at Stake in Supreme Court Case

Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum has joined other states to support Vermont’s ability to gather medical claims data from self-insured health plans otherwise governed by federal law. Consumer groups, the American Medical Association and the American Hospital Association all support Vermont, but the Supreme Court justices seemed to favor the other side, including the BlueCross BlueShield Association in arguments last week.

Dec 8, 2015

Treasury Expects 2017 Launch for Savings Accounts for Disabled People

The accounts will take a year for the Oregon 529 Savings Board to set up with the help of outside investment advisors. Families of people with disabilities will be able to deposit money in the accounts that will be invested without losing government assistance.

Dec 4, 2015

Greenlick Endorses Corporate Tax Measure to Bolster State Funding

Rep. Mitch Greenlick, D-Portland, the chairman of the Oregon House Health Committee, publicly endorsed the corporate tax ballot measure, saying the $2.5 billion a year the tax is anticipated to raise would eliminate much of the constant need to choose between funding critical budget concerns each legislative session.

Dec 4, 2015

OEBB Reaffirms New Director After Lund Report Article Causes Special Meeting

The Oregon Educators Benefit Board is sticking with its chosen new director, James Raussen, after an article last month in The Lund Report forced a special executive session of the board before its regular scheduled meeting Tuesday.

Dec 4, 2015

FamilyCare CEO Insists His Organization Isn't Going Anywhere

In the continued battle between the state and Oregon’s second-largest Medicaid provider over reimbursement, the Health Authority is soliciting a backup CCO that could undercut FamilyCare. Meanwhile, the 2016 rates for the CCOs show a pattern of higher payment for those with hospital monopolies.

Dec 1, 2015

Father of Autistic Kids Sues Kaiser under Unlawful Trade Act for Denied Claims

Paul Terdal is arguing that Kaiser Foundation Health Plan is a healthcare services contractor as opposed to an insurer, which might expose Kaiser to the liabilities of the Unlawful Trade Act which otherwise exempts insurers. The dispute arises from old claims for autism treatment which Terdal paid himself.

Nov 24, 2015

OEBB Picks New Director Candidate with Strong Resume but Checkered Past

James Raussen, a government consultant specializing in insurance, comes to Oregon after working in the Chicago comptroller’s office and Ohio state government. His Chicago boss, whom he followed from Ohio, is now in prison, and Raussen was linked to a questionable insurance brokerage contract in Chicago that caused Mayor Rahm Emanuel to limit the purchasing power of the city comptroller.

Nov 20, 2015

Multnomah County Aims to Implement Model Tobacco Licensing Program

With as many as 31 percent of Multnomah County retail outlets willing to sell to underage teenagers, and the Oregon Legislature unable to pass a state licensing program, tobacco and e-cigarette sales will now fall under a strict county jurisdiction. Sen. Laurie Monnes Anderson hopes to take the Multnomah County law statewide with new legislation.

Nov 20, 2015

Health Social Justice Advocates Ask State to Cover Remaining Uninsured

Legislation appears poised to move forward to create a new program giving coverage to low-income Pacific Islanders from the COFA nations, while advocates organize to find a method to get healthcare for the state’s 17,600 undocumented immigrant children.

Nov 18, 2015