press releases

January 3, 2013 -- The Oregon Health Policy Board’s Non-Traditional Health Worker (NTHW) Steering Committee will meet January 7 in Salem and January 14 in Portland. The meetings are open to the public and also will be accessible via webinar and teleconference. Public comments will be taken at the end of each meeting, and also can be submitted in writing.

January 2, 2013 - CCO Oregon takes great pleasure in announcing that United States Secretary of Health & Human Services Kathleen Sebelius will be recording remarks to be delivered at the Transforming Care 2013 conference organized by CCO Oregon. Secretary Sebelius’s remarks will conclude the two-day conference, which takes place at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland on January 8 & 9, 2013.

December 31, 2012 – Health Share of Oregon’s Community Advisory Council will discuss the upcoming Community Health Needs Assessment at their January 4, 2013 public meeting, held at Central City Concern in downtown Portland. The full meeting agenda can be found on the Council’s website one week prior to each meeting.

December 31, 2012 – John Bischof, M.D., joined Central City Concern’s Old Town Recovery Center as Medical Director on December 4th. Dr. Bischof brings to CCC a wealth of knowledge and experience in many settings, including community mental health, academia, and the public and private sectors. Dr. Bischof most recently worked at OptumHealth Behavioral Solutions for five years in various director roles.

Bend, Ore. — Moody’s Investors Service has upgraded St. Charles Health System’s bond rating to A2 with a stable outlook from A3 with a positive outlook. The upgrade means the health system will be able to borrow money for future capital projects at lower interest rates. Ultimately, it gives St. Charles access to more capital to improve its facilities and equipment, and provide the best care possible to the communities it serves.

December 21, 2012 -- Thomas D. Aschenbrener, recently retired president of Northwest Health Foundation, has announced that he will direct a $100,000 fund in his name to United Way of the Columbia-Willamette.

December 5, 2012 (Portland, Oregon) – Providence Cancer Center has been awarded a $450,000 Career Catalyst Research Grant by Susan G. Komen for the Cure, bringing the total number of Susan G. Komen for the Cure breast cancer research grants in Oregon to 11, and totaling over $3.7 million. This funding was made possible, in part, because of funds the Oregon and SW Washington Affiliate has sent to Komen Headquarters’ for research.

December 19, 2012 -- U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) today announced that he secured language requiring the Pentagon to detail and address upcoming changes to TRICARE Prime in this year’s defense authorization bill. The plan is based off legislation he, Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.), and Rep. Mark Amodei (R-Nev.) introduced earlier this month. It requires the Pentagon to assess the increased cost and overall impact that TRICARE changes will have on military retirees and their families, and, within 90 days, inform Congress of its plan to provide them with a smooth transition.