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OMA and ONA Joint Press Release - Cautious Optimism About Cover Oregon Numbers

January 8, 2014
  According to numbers released Tuesday by Cover Oregon and the Oregon Health Authority, 170,000 Oregonians have successfully enrolled in health insurance coverage through Cover Oregon or the Oregon Health Plan. This means that in 2014, more Oregonians including many  who were previously uninsured, will have the benefits and added security of health care coverage.    The Oregon Medical Association (OMA) and the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) have been key stakeholders in Oregon’s health care reform process since its early days. We have closely monitored Cover Oregon’s rollout and the implementation of the state’s Coordinated Care Organizations (CCOs). Because our organizations represent physicians, nurses and physician assistants who will provide care for newly-insured Oregonians, we are pleased that thousands of Oregonians will have more security and certainty in 2014.     The difficult launch of Cover Oregon has been well documented, but OMA and ONA are encouraged that Cover Oregon now appears to be building momentum. In addition, we hope the results of the independent review Governor Kitzhaber has ordered will help the remainder of the reform process proceed more smoothly.    “Oregon’s nurses are encouraged to see more Oregonians and their families gain access to health care by having insurance,” said Susan King, MS, RN, CEN, FAAN, ONA’s Executive Director. “We look forward to helping Oregonians achieve better health outcomes, and working with the state to continue to improve the way health care is accessed and delivered.”     “It’s important to keep an eye on the numbers,” said Fran Biagioli, MD, OMA President. “They’re up, and that’s encouraging, and we’re going to need to see those numbers continue to climb into the first part of 2014 if we’re going to get to the outcomes we want.”    “The promise of health reform is still there; and for it to be realized, citizens need to be able to get coverage they need so they can get the appropriate care at the right time. We’re pleased to see this starting to happen, after a disappointing start,” said Bob Dannenhoffer, MD, former president of the OMA and current CEO of Architrave, a CCO in Roseburg, Oregon. 

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