CCO PATIENT RESPONSIBILITY MEASURE PASSES HEALTH CARE COMMITTEE

SALEM – HB 2859 passed out of the House Health Care committee yesterday. The bill updates parts of Gov. Kitzhaber’s health care reforms and will allow Coordinated Care Organizations to create innovative pilot programs aimed at engaging individuals in their health care decisions. The concept was originally introduced as House Bill 2638 by Rep. Jason Conger (R-Bend).

“Medical care amounts to only 10% of the factors that determine health outcomes while individual choices and behavior account for 40%,” explained Rep. Conger. “Clearly personal engagement and accountability are critical to our success in transforming health care."

Among other things, the bill will permit the Oregon Health Authority to fund pilot projects designed to improve patient engagement and accountability for their own health, disease prevention and wellness activities. To receive a grant through the program, a Coordinated Care Organization must submit an application to the Oregon Health Authority. HB 2859 also establishes a task force to work in parallel with the pilots and research best practices for broader implementation.

“The goal is really to improve Medicaid members' health which will reduce costs over time,” Rep. Conger said. “This is a small but key step in improving Oregon’s health care system.”

HB 2859 passed the House Health Care Committee unanimously and will now go to the Joint Ways and Means Committee.

CCO PATIENT RESPONSIBILITY MEASURE PASSES HEALTH CARE COMMITTEE

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