Latest News
HCMO Survives: Oregon's Health Care Market Oversight Program Survives Legal Challenge
Oregon’s groundbreaking Health Care Market Oversight Program (HCMO) fought off a legal challenge by the Oregon Hospital Association. HCMO has oversight over large health care industry transactions (Mergers & Acquisitions) that have a big impact on Oregonians. The legal challenge would have dissolved HCMO. The hospitals can still appeal the ruling, but for now, HCMO remains intact.
Report: Health Care Costs are Rising
The Oregon Health Authority released its first annual report on the state’s Cost Growth Target. Unsurprisingly, healthcare costs are growing. Health care is Oregonians’ #1 expense, even more than housing, utilities, transportation, or food. This highlights the need and urgency of the Universal Health Plan Governance Board’s work to create our new simplified, equitable, and affordable healthcare system.
Regence BlueCross BlueShield Members Could Lose Access to Providence
One of the largest hospital systems in Oregon is telling one of the largest insurers that they can’t come to an agreement on rates to charge…and who suffers? Patients. 260,000 people could find themselves in the untenable situation where a visit to their local hospital or clinic could result in thousands of dollars in out of network costs-through no fault of their own.
Does the High Cost of Health Care Make You Sick?
Actually, it does! New research from the Commonwealth Fund confirms that no matter where Americans get their health coverage, they delay care because of costs and that can lead to people getting sicker. “Fear of incurring health care expenses they can’t afford is endangering the health of many Americans, even those who have insurance. More than half of adults with employer coverage who reported they or a family member had delayed or skipped getting needed care because of costs said a health problem had gotten worse as a result.”
Understanding Health Care Acronyms-What the heck is a PBM?? The ABC’s of HC acronyms?
PBMs or Pharmacy Benefit Managers are “middle men” in our convoluted for-profit healthcare system. They act as third-party administrators of prescription drug programs for health plans, employers, and other organizations. They aim to control costs and improve the efficiency of prescription drug benefits. However, as consumers we have little access or transparency in this industry. Knowledge about the profits of PBM’s is difficult to ascertain, as they may be intertwined with health plans and insurance companies. Among their many responsibilities, PBMs can influence which drugs are covered by insurance companies and whether certain prescriptions can only be filled at specialty pharmacies. This can lead to “sweetheart deals” and a lack of transparency for patients and health plans.
Hospital Closures, Mergers and Acquisitions-Oh My! What’s it mean for patient care?
CareOregon and SCAN plan to create a new company called HealthRight, that will serve Medicare and Medicaid members across multiple states. Throughout the country, and right here in Oregon, we are facing an increasing threat brought on by our profit driven healthcare system.
It seems the latest trend in health care is not decreasing health disparities or improving health outcomes, but the closure, merger or acquisition of America's hospitals and medical facilities. Recent planned merger announcements by Legacy and OHSU as well as CareOregon and California based SCAN, have dominated the news and will occupy regulators for months. The headlines from Oregon’s largest county raise serious questions about patient care and accountability to Oregon’s taxpayers.
HCAO Board Creates Strategic Vision!
On October 20-22 the Board and staff of HCAO convened for a productive weekend of celebrating our victories as well as strategizing and building our plan to win a health system in Oregon where Everyone is in and Nobody is out!!!
The HCAO Board is united in the commitment to build our Chapter capacity, increase our online and media presence, deepen our coalition and expand our legislative and policy acumen. To succeed in our mission, we need YOU, to share your stories, invest your dollars, and volunteer your time!
Are you a member of an organization that should join us? Send a note to the Membership Committee and they’ll follow-up!! The more individuals and organizations that become members, the more POWER we can build!! You can help us build that power: become a member today!
Spotlight On: Oregon Public Health Association - Keeping the Public in Public Health!
On October 16 and 17th, OPHA held their Annual Conference and presented their OPHA 2023 Public Health Awards. HCAO Past President, Tom Sincic was honored as a Policy Champion for his tenacious work in moving single payer legislation in Oregon. Tom’s work includes the passage of SB1089, which established the Universal Health Care Governance Board. Congratulations, Tom!
OPHA's mission is to advocate for policies that protect and promote health and health equity for all people in Oregon. It advances public health through advocacy, education, communication, and partnership. In addition, OPHA provides learning, collaboration, and leadership opportunities for public health professionals and the broader community.
Speak out and Speak Up on Health Care: Make Your Voice Heard - Legislative Days
The Oregon Legislature’s Interim Committees are meeting in November! Stay informed and make your voice heard by participating in these hearings. You can watch the Senate Health Committee online here. The House Committee on Behavioral Health and Health Care will meet twice during Legislative Days. These are tremendous opportunities to know your legislator and keep up on all the health care happenings in Salem. Want to be a Drummer and help HCAO “drum”” up support for our legislative agenda? Reach out to Trina Bauman.
Past News
August 2023 - Senate Bill 1089 Signed by Governor
Governor Kotek signs Senate Bill 1089.
June 2023 - Senate Bill 1089 Passed
Senate Bill 1089 passed both the House and Senate.
May 2023 - Senate Bill 1089 Sent to Joint Committee on Ways and Means
Senate Bill 1089 (formerly SB 704) passed the Senate Committee on Rules with a 4-1 vote and has been referred to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means.
April 2023 - Senate Bill 704 Is Now 1089, Sent to the Rules Committee
Senate Bill 704 has been renumbered to Senate Bill 1089. SB 1089 will create the Universal Health Plan Governance Board, and is progressing through the Oregon State Legislature. It has been referred to the Senate Rules Committee.
The UHP Governance Board will research & analyze, then create, implement, and administer Oregon’s single payer plan.
Read more about the UHP Governance Board and legislation ➡
February 2023 - Senate Bill 704 Gets Record Testimony In Support
Senate Bill 704, which will create the Universal Health Plan Governance Board, received 344 written testimonies in support of the bill, with dozens of people showing up in Salem and virtually to give live testimony.
January 2023 - Legislature to Create Universal Health Plan Governance Board
Health care legislation was introduced in the state House and Senate this month. There are two bills that will create the UHP Governance Board.
The UHP Governance Board will research & analyze, then create, implement, and administer Oregon’s single payer plan.
September 2022 - Task Force Report & Recommendations Complete
Oregon’s Joint Task Force on Universal Health Care released its final report. The report’s findings & recommendations include:
Findings: Our current health care financing system [for-profit insurance] is unaffordable, complex, and inequitable
Recommendation: Create a Universal Health Plan Governance Board to research & analyze, then create, implement, and administer Oregon’s single payer plan.
Included: A concept (sample/proof-of-concept) single payer plan. The concept single payer plan shows that we can do it in Oregon, and that a single payer plan:
Costs less
Covers all Oregonians
Has no premiums, deductibles, or copays
Is compatible with all federal laws and programs including Medicare, Medicaid, and ERISA
“The Task Force’s report quantifies what is wrong with our for-profit healthcare system and shows what we need to do about it,” said Tom Sincic, president of Health Care for All Oregon. “It’s exciting that in Oregon, we now have the opportunity to design a universal, single-payer health care system that delivers better care to more people for less money and removes the barriers to people getting the health care they need.”
Read more about the Task Force and links to the report & summary ➡