Amanda Waldroupe

PacificSource Chosen by Workgroup for Essential Health Benefits Package

The Lund Report
Now Governor John Kitzhaber must either accept the recommendation or choose a different health plan by September 30

June 25, 2012— A 19-member, governor-appointed workgroup made up largely of hospital and insurance representatives has selected PacificSource’s small group plan as the state’s essential health benefits package.

Governor Kitzhaber must either accept the recommendation, or ask that a different plan be chosen by September 30. Otherwise, the federal government will make that decision.

By: 
Amanda Waldroupe

Oregon’s Waiver to CMS Nears Completion

The Lund Report
The waiver is necessary for Oregon to proceed with its efforts to reform the Oregon Health Plan

June 19, 2012—The Oregon Health Authority is nearing the end of countless hours of negotiations with the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) to finalize a waiver that will allow the state to legally move forward with reforming the Oregon Health Plan.

By: 
Amanda Waldroupe

Insurance Exchange’s Small Employer Program Takes Shape

The Lund Report
Easing administrative burden for employers is a main focus

June 19, 2012—The program and technological infrastructure allowing small employers to purchase health insurance through Oregon’s exchange is beginning to take shape. Making the process easy for employers and reducing administrative burden will be key to its success, according to its staff.

By: 
Amanda Waldroupe

Communication to Oregon Health Plan Patients Increases As Reform Nears

The Lund Report
The Oregon Health Authority is emphasizing that patient’s services and care will not change

June 7, 2012—Communication to Oregon Health Plan patients about what the monumental changes to the Oregon Health Plan’s delivery system means to them is beginning in earnest as the August 1 start date for 11 organizations likely to become coordinated care organizations throughout Oregon nears.

By: 
Amanda Waldroupe

One Out-of-State Organization Questions Becoming a Coordinated Care Organization

The Lund Report
It’s unclear if two others still intend to apply, but they face different challenges different from local organizations

June 7, 2012—Many were shocked when two large, publicly traded companies sent letters of intent to the Oregon Health Authority expressing their intention to apply to become a coordinated care organization. Now it’s not clear if they, or a third out-of-state organization, will even apply.

By: 
Amanda Waldroupe

Public Health Division Looks to Improve Breastfeeding Rates

The Lund Report
Numerous grant-funded projects throughout the state are aiming to reduce barriers, increase awareness of breast feeding, and encourage mothers

June 1, 2012— Although 90 percent of Oregon women start out breastfeeding their newly born infants, only 21 percent continue breastfeeding until their infant is six months old. Oregon’s Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program hopes to get that number higher with the help of additional dollars from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

By: 
Amanda Waldroupe

Dental Organizations Interested in Reform Take Their Case to the Legislature

The Lund Report
Organization leaders continue to be concerned about the role they will play in coordinated care organizations, and whether they will be part of the decision-making process

May 24, 2012—Dental care organizations serving Oregon Health Plan patients are still publicly concerned about their attempts to become part of the newly forming coordinated care organizations – and made a presentation to the Senate’s health committee during a three-day
interim session on Monday.

By: 
Amanda Waldroupe

Whooping Cough Epidemic Could Lead to More Vaccinations in Clark County

The Lund Report
The epidemic has motivated health providers to increase immunization rates

May 17, 2012—Clark County, and the rest of Washington, is experiencing the worst whooping cough epidemic in 70 years, and health officials are using the increased public attention being paid to the upper respiratory infection to increase the immunization rate, both among adults and children.

By: 
Amanda Waldroupe

First Environmental Health Assessment of the Black Butte Mine Published

The Lund Report
What used to be the most productive mercury mine in the country now causes mercury contamination and potential health hazards

May 14, 2012—Residents of Cottage Grove and the surrounding area have long known that the abandoned Black Butte Mine poses dangers, but the first environmental health assessment of the mine provides concrete information.

By: 
Amanda Waldroupe

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