The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #49486

Michael Garland, DScRel, Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine and Director of Eductional Policy in the Center for Ethics in Health Care, Oregon Health Sciences University, 3181 Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97201, 503-494-8257, garlandm@ohsu.edu

The Oregon Health Plan (OHP) was created ten years ago to increase the number of medically indigent residents able to recieve health care benefits. It was, and continues to be, a community and political partnership. Although it has decreased the percent of uninsured, OHP has not met its goal of having universal access to health care for all Oregonians. OHP recently received it's ongoing HCFA waiver through 2004. The worries expressed by many have not come to pass. In fact, the plan has provided a rational framework for legislators to use as they consider funding allocations. There a number of challenges facing the plan, including increased health care and pharmacy costs, a state budget shortfall, increased unemployment causing increased need for coverage. And the chief architect and champion, Governor John Kitzhaber will be leaving office after this term. The state will be challenged to renew its commitment to community partnership, willingness and ability for safety net, health department and FFS providers to provide care for OHP members and political bi-partisan cooperation to assure the ongoing health coverage of Oregonians.

Learning Objectives:

1.Describe the community process used to create the legislation that would become the Oregon Health Plan(OHP). 2.Discuss the ethical underpinnings of the OHP.
• Articulate the OHP's successes and future challenges. 4.Identify the role health departments, safety net clinics, FFS providers, hospitals and vendors play in supporting the OHP. 5.Discuss the development and ongoing management of the prioritized list of health services.

Keywords: Access and Services, Community Health Planning

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.