REP. JASON CONGER APPOINTED TO PANEL TO PROMOTE PATIENT SAFETY,

REDUCE HEALTH CARE COSTS

SALEM – Rep. Jason Conger (R-Bend) has been appointed by the House Co-Speakers to the Patient Safety and Defensive Medicine Work Group, a special panel formed under Oregon’s 2012 health care reforms. The work group, consisting of legislators and professionals, will consider solutions to improve Oregon's medical liability system and find ways to reduce the cost of delivering health care.

“Patient safety and a common sense, effective medical liability system will be key components in the success of Oregon’s health care reforms,” said Rep. Conger, a business attorney. “Reducing costs and ensuring quality outcomes for patients will help improve our health care system and benefit our state’s struggling economy.”

The work group will recommend legislation to be introduced in the 2013 legislative session, including measures to improve patient safety; effectively compensating individuals who are injured as a result of medical errors; and reducing the collateral costs associated with the medical liability system, including the costs associated with insurance administration, litigation and defensive medicine.

“Reducing medical errors and relieving providers of high liability insurance costs are essential to effective health care reform,” Rep. Conger said. “I look forward to serving in this bipartisan work group, and continuing my efforts to make health care more affordable for all Oregonians.”

REP. JASON CONGER APPOINTED TO PANEL TO PROMOTE PATIENT SAFETY,

REDUCE HEALTH CARE COSTS

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