| May 28, 2009 | For More Information Contact: Andy Van Pelt 503-479-6018 |
Oregon’s Community Hospitals Announce Health Care Access Plan
Salem, Ore. (May 28, 2009) --- Legislative leaders, including Speaker of the House Dave Hunt and Senate President Peter Courtney, joined Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems President and CEO Andy Davidson to announce the deal that will insure 60,000 new adult lives under the Oregon Health Plan through 2013.
"Oregon's hospitals are proud to have played a leadership role with our state's legislative leaders in crafting a funding model that will more than double the number of adults on the Oregon Health Plan," Davidson said. "This collaborative agreement is a critical first step in creating the foundation for increased health care access in our state. These are extraordinary times that require shared sacrifice."
Over the past several of months, hospital leadership has been working collaboratively with a legislative negotiating team to forge a solution to expand access to health care through the expansion of the Oregon Health Plan. Given the current economic conditions of our state and the growing number of uninsured individuals, this collaborative effort has become even more vital.
The hospital assessment will fund the addition of an average of 50,000 adults to the Oregon Health Plan in the 2009-2011 biennium. In the 2011-2013 biennium that number will grow to a total of 60,000 adult lives. The new state funds will allow Oregon to drawn down additional federal match dollars, up to $1 billion for reimbursements to Medicaid providers, which will also increase under the funding plan.
"Expanding access to health care has never been more important in Oregon. With unemployment at record levels, more Oregonians than ever are in need the health care coverage that this agreement will provide," said Senate President Peter Courtney. "Oregon's hospitals have shown tremendous leadership in working with the legislative negotiation team to reach this landmark agreement in this time of crisis."
This is a first step in a series of efforts to help reform health care in our state. Hospitals have been working collaboratively with other industry stakeholders over the past 18 months and are committed to reducing the health care costs for purchasers like small business, government and families.
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