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As a result of our comprehensive strategic planning process, the membership of Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems identified four major areas of focus for OAHHS policy and advocacy activities. Those areas are: Quality, Access, Cost and Accountability.
The following principles reflect the values of Oregon hospitals in key issues related to health care in Oregon:
Quality
Oregon hospitals and health systems are committed to measuring the quality of health care services provided and reporting the information in a fashion that provides value to patients, openly shows improvement and demonstrates leadership and credibility as a cornerstone in every community.
Access
Oregon hospitals define health care access as the availability of populated-based primary care, mental health services and emergency medical services. Every Oregonian should have access to necessary health care services and insurance coverage. Those who are financially vulnerable should have coverage through stable and well-financed government programs. For everyone else, coverage should come through employment-based and individual commercial coverage.
Cost
Oregon hospitals are among the nation’s lowest cost, most efficient providers of quality medical services in the nation. While they continue to seek new ways to reduce the cost of care, Oregon ’s hospitals are increasingly threatened by underpayment from Medicaid, as well as unfair competition from for-profit medical providers. These financial forces are outside their control and are significantly affecting hospitals’ abilities to fully meet the needs of the communities they serve.
Accountability
OAHHS will introduce and seek legislative adoption of community benefit reporting legislation in 2007. This initiative will require the collection and reporting of services that Oregon hospitals provide for which they receive no payment or payment below actual cost.
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