OREGON HEATLH AUTHORITY KICKS OFF STATEWIDE COMMUNITY MEETINGS

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Oregon Health Policy Board (OHPB) will host eight regional community meetings across the state.

The meetings are designed to educate residents about the new vision for the Oregon Health Plan established by bipartisan legislation passed earlier this year.

Under House Bill 3650, the administration of care for people on the Oregon Health Plan would be coordinated to bring better care, better management of chronic illness, more preventive care, more health equity and reduced waste and inefficiency.

The legislation creates local Coordinated Care Organizations (CCOs), which would be responsible for administering the delivery of physical, mental, addictions, oral and other health care to the more than 600,000 child and adult Oregonians served by the Oregon Health Plan.

OHA and OHPB invite residents, health care professionals and businesses to join the conversation and help guide the proposed creation of CCOs in their community. Also at each meeting will be local innovators who have already begun the type of care coordination that would happen under the new organizations.

As required by HB 3650, a final proposal for such organizations will be delivered to the February 2012 Legislature by the Oregon Health Policy Board. Pending approval, the first CCO would launch in 2012.

Meetings are scheduled in the following communities.

Roseburg: Monday, Sept. 26, 6-8 p.m.
Umpqua Community College, Campus Center Building Dining Room
1140 Umpqua College Road

Medford: Tuesday, Sept. 27, 6-8 p.m.
Santo Community Center
701 N. Columbus Ave.

Pendleton: Monday, Oct. 3, 6-8 p.m.
Pendleton Arts Center
214 N. Main St.
Pendleton, OR 97801

Florence: Wednesday, Oct. 5, 6-8 p.m.
The Florence Events Center
715 Quince St.
Florence, OR 97439

Bend: Thursday, Oct. 6, 6-8 p.m.
(location coming soon)

Portland: Monday, Oct. 10, 6-8 p.m.
University Place Hotel & Conference Center
310 S.W. Lincoln St.
Portland, OR 97201

Eugene: Wednesday, Oct. 12, 6-8 p.m.
(location coming soon)

Astoria: Thursday, Oct. 13, 6-8 p.m.
Judge Guy Boyington Building
857 Commercial St.
Astoria, OR 97103

If you are unable to attend a community meeting, you can offer feedback at health.oregon.gov.

For special accommodations, assistive hearing devices, sign language interpreters or large-print materials, please contact Ari Ettinger at the Oregon Health Authority at ari.a.ettinger@state.or.us or call 503-947-2340 or 877-398-9238 at least 48 hours before the meeting.


For more information on Oregon health reform efforts and CCOs, visit health.oregon.gov.