On Wednesday, September 27, interim committees met in Salem, including the Senate Interim Committee on Health Care which held an informational hearing on healthcare costs. In addition, the Senate Rules Committee met for Executive Appointments. Dr. Tony Germann, Vice President of HCAO, had his confirmation hearing  to become a member of the Oregon Health Policy Board and was fully confirmed on Friday! This is an incredible opportunity for Tony.  We wish him all the best as he puts his perspective to work developing policy for the State of Oregon.

The Senate Interim Committee on Health Care heard testimony from a panel of experts highlighting aspects of our current healthcare systems and its myriad excess costs. HCAO was well represented in the Capitol as both the Executive Director and Legislative Chair were invited to provide testimony to the Committee.

The Senate Interim Committee of Health Care will meet over the course of the next 3 months to discuss costs in the health care sector. This hearing focused on what is driving the cost of healthcare in the United States and Oregon. Dr. Zirui Song, an Associate Professor of Health Care Policy and Medicine, Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, kicked off the informational hearing discussing the issues and data related to privatization of healthcare in America. HCAO Executive Director, Maribeth Healey finished the hearing talking about the impacts of the high cost of healthcare on businesses, families and the state. Listen to the full hearing here!