Larry Kirsch

OPINION – August 2, 2012 -- Recent pieces in The Lund Report and The Oregonian about ties-- both investment and governance-- between nonprofit Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon and one of its major vendors, the for-profit TriZetto Group, raise important issues of public policy with consequences for many Oregonians.

OPINION – May 8, 2012 -- Regence's recently announced decision to drop contracts with certain provider networks used by individual policyholders in the Portland area is an ominous and dangerous development. Not only does it challenge the single thing most healthcare consumers think is best about the current payment system -- wide choice and dependable coverage of one's personal caregivers- it is inexplicable as a first line of response to the problem of costs.