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July 27, 2012 -- When the state legislature raised the annual fee for Oregon Medical Marijuana Program cards from $100 to $200, it did so in hopes that public health coffers would increase accordingly: based on budget numbers released by Kathleen Vidoloff of the Oregon Health Authority, the state's budget for the 2011-13 biennium anticipates a total of $12 million in revenue from the program – with $5.3 million supporting the marijuana program and $6.7 million supporting other public health programs.

July 26, 2012 -- One of the popular early reforms under the Affordable Care Act included coverage for preventive services with no co-pays, deductibles or coinsurance. On Aug. 1, this benefit expands to cover additional preventive services for women.“Women deserve meaningful health coverage,” said Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler. “Eliminating cost-sharing for early, preventive care increases the likelihood that women could access medical services early, before conditions become more serious.”

July 26, 2012 -- Physicians and other healthcare professionals are being hit with a rate reduction from Regence BlueCross BlueShield on October 1, while the insurer is asking the Insurance Division to approve a 9.6 percent increase for roughly 53,000 people who buy their own coverage. A public hearing on that rate request will be held next Monday at 3 p.m. in Salem.There’s a bit of a disconnect between reducing provider reimbursement and asking for a premium increase, said Vern Saboe, a chiropractor in Albany who lobbies on behalf of the Oregon Chiropractic Association.

July 26, 2012 -- Governor John Kitzhaber has appointed a patient safety and defensive medicine workgroup to develop recommendations on medical malpractice reform for the 2013 legislative session. That workgroup, which holds its first meeting August 2, is expected to submit its recommendations to the interim committees of the legislature byOctober 1.The goals of the workgroup are:

July 26, 2012 -- The Tri-County Medicaid Collaborative, which will begin integrating physical, mental health and addictions services for people on the Oregon Health Plan September 1, has appointed a consumer advisory council.