Oregon has chosen a familiar face to lead the state's Medicaid program as it heads towards the next phase, with a focus on mental health, value-based payments that reward outcomes instead of performing procedures and social determinants of health like housing.
The group, which has been meeting since January, acknowledged that Oregon is not likely to adopt universal care anytime soon but it pointed towards that goal by offering initial steps.
The state announced that coverage areas in its next round of Medicaid coverage will be based on county lines, not Zip codes, though there may be exceptions.
Felisa Hagins says the state has failed to ensure that Oregon’s coordinated care organizations have the financial incentive next year to improve access to care for diverse populations.