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November 23, 2011 -- On Friday, November 4, 2011, the Oregon Nursing Leadership Collaborative (ONLC) announced the formation of two workgroups dedicated to implementing changes recommended in the 2011 Institute of Medicine (IOM) “Future of Nursing” report. One group will focus on increasing the number of baccalaureate-educated nurses and the other will focus on preparing and enabling nurses to lead change. The groups will develop action plans that will affect the way nurses participate in health care transformation and provide care throughout Oregon.

OPINION – November 22, 2011 -- Recent articles and blog postings have indicated some questions and confusion regarding our structure and recent internal capital movement. I hope the following will help clarify. For many years, Regence has been structured as a nonprofit holding company system. This means that none of our capital is paid out to shareholders, but instead stays within the holding company system to grow and improve the business and to provide value to our members and the communities we serve.

November 21, 2011 -- Oregon Health Authority’s Public Health Division and its county health partners launched a new statewide campaign today to increase colorectal cancer screening among Oregonians over age 50 (over 45 for African Americans). Guided by a research finding that people are much more likely to get screened if they are encouraged by someone they know and trust, the campaign takes an innovative approach by empowering already screened men and women to serve as champions and to encourage people they know to get screened.

November 21, 2011—A mental health organization is leading the charge toward transformation. Greater Oregon Behavioral Healthcare, Inc., (GOBHI), based in The Dalles, is in active discussions with a multitude of healthcare providers to become a coordinated care organization (CCO) by next July. CEO Kevin Campbell has been meeting with federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics, public health departments, hospitals, county commissioners and primary and dental care providers in 17 rural counties -- many of which are east of the Cascades.

November 18, 2011 -- The Oregon Dental Association (ODA) is hosting its second Oregon Mission of Mercy (OrMOM) free dental clinic November 21st & 22nd at the Oregon Convention Center. Just like last year, dental screenings and services will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis, at no charge to those who attend. “Last year just proved to us what we already knew; there is a great need for access to critical dental care,” stated the 2011 OrMOM Chair, Dr. Jill Price.

November 17, 2011 – Nine healthcare organizations – most of which advocate for people with chronic illnesses – are speaking up about proposed cuts to Medicare. A federal deficit “supercommittee” has one week left to cut $1.2 trillion within the next decade. While that committee may or may not meet its November 23 deadline, Medicare cuts are on the table.

November 17, 2011—Not mincing words, provider groups worried they’ll be left out of the coordinated care organizations (CCOs) took their case to the Oregon Health Policy Board last week. But they came away without any assurance.

OPINION – November 16, 2011 – I wanted to follow up on your article titled “Regulators Didn’t Question $56 million payout by Regence BlueCross BlueShield” because I am concerned the article is misleading and does not provide the public with accurate information.

November 16, 2011 -- Surveys of doctors show that now more than half think that providing higher-quality medicine may lead to losses in their earning power, a belief that may help explain why an exceptionally high number of patients don’t get recommended care, according to Dr. David Reuben MD, who spoke at the OHSU Foundation for Medical Excellence annual lecture earlier this week.