The statewide health purchasing boards – OEBB and PEBB – were primed to finally choose a permanent administrator when they convened early yesterday morning in executive session.
But they came up short – even though several candidates were under consideration, and it appears as if the hiring process will have to begin anew.
When reached for comment, Kathy Loretz, interim administrator, would only say that the two boards “are not making an offer at this time and are opening the process back up.”
Loretz herself is not applying for the position, and couldn’t say how long it might take to find the right person. “The boards will be getting together at a later date to talk about next steps.”
It’s been nearly 18 months since the Oregon Educators Benefit Board and the Public Employees Benefit Board have had a permanent administrator, following the departure of Joan Kapowich in 2013.
But now OEBB and PEBB are poised to select Kapowich’s successor and have scheduled an executive session for next Tuesday, following by an open meeting where the new administrator is expected to be named, according to Kathy Loretz, interim administrator.
When Kapowich left the state agency, Sean Kolmer, the governor’s health policy advisor, announced it was a voluntary decision, but since then The Lund Report learned she was forced out because of her hesitancy about moving forward too quickly with the coordinated care model, advocated by then Governor John Kitzhaber.
Since then Kapowich has landed on her feet, joining Providence Health & Services as its executive for accountable care in Oregon, where she’s leading the overall operation of Providence's accountable, risk-bearing contracts directly with payers and employers in Oregon. She’s also focusing on clinical outcomes and member experience with the Providence Medical Group.
As administrator of OEBB and PEBB for six years, Kapowich led the development of the medical home concept on behalf of state employees, and helped create health and wellness programs for its members.
Diane can be reached at [email protected].
