Oregon Could Lead Health Insurance Exchange

May 12 -- Oregon could become one of the first states to initiate a health insurance exchange. That process got under way yesterday (May 11) with the creation of a technical assistance work group charged with coming up with a detailed business plan by mid-August.

 

Once the Oregon Health Policy Board gives its approval, that plan will head to the 2011 Oregon legislature.

 

“We’re moving quickly, and would like to begin packaging something,” Dr. Bruce Goldberg, administrator of the Oregon Health Authority told the Board, adding that he’d already had conversations with Oregon’s congressional delegation.

 

Assuming no glitches rise to the surface, Oregon may seek a waiver from the feds since  the health reform law only provides tax credits starting in 2014 – the same time the mandate takes effect.

 

By having an exchange, consumers could compare and choose between health plans quickly and easily. Such plans would have to meet minimum benefit standards.

 

However, Eileen Brady cautioned about moving too quickly. Federal health reform is focused on the insurance system, not on transforming the entire healthcare system or how to pay for care and deal with the rising costs, she told her colleagues on the board. “That’s my perspective from the 60,000 foot level,” she said.

 

The members of the technical advisory work group include:  

 

·        Andy Anderson, senior vice president and CFO, Cascade Corporation,

·        Anthony Behrens, senior policy analyst with the Oregon Insurance Division,

·        Barbara Christensen, chief sales and marketing officer, Providence Health Plans,

·        Aelea Christofferson, owner of ATL Communications, Inc.,

·        Mark Danburg-Wyld, senior actuarial analyst, PacificSource Health Plans,

·        Laura Etherton, advocate with the Oregon State Public Interest Research Group,

·        Tom Jovick, administrator, Office of Private Health Partnerships,

·        Rocky King, senior policy advisor for health reform, Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services,

·        Dean Kortge, president, Pacific Benefit Consultants,

·        Patrick O’Keefe, partner and account manager, Cascade Insurance Center,

·        Anna Roberts, organizer, SEIU Local 49,

·        Barney Speight, director of healthcare purchasing, Oregon Health Authority, and

·        Nita Werner, president and CFO, Omelas Enterprises, Inc., and a member of the Oregon Health Policy Board