Oregon Leads Way on Heath Insurance Exchanges

Oregon received good news this week when the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced “Early Innovator” grant awards to seven states that will lead the way in developing pilot health insurance exchanges, as part of the major health care reform legislation approved by Congress last year.

President Obama will be in the Portland area Friday to tour Intel and can be expected to say more about the grant while here.

The Oregon Health Authority will receive $48 million to design and implement the information technology (IT) infrastructure to operate an exchange. Consumer-friendly and efficient IT infrastructure will be a key component to ensure exchanges are a place where individuals and small employers can shop for, select and enroll in high-quality, affordable private health plans.

Click to read more ...

The New Elephant in the Room

Oregon U.S. Rep. Greg Walden’s ascension to House Leadership marks the first time in decades an Oregonian has held such a high-ranking position in either the House or the Senate. As expected, the Democrats suffered a crushing defeat in the House last Tuesday, losing more than 60 seats and losing control of the chamber to the Republicans. The GOP gains exceed those made during the Republican wave of 1994 when the party picked up 54 House seats.

Not since 1948 has the party made such monumental inroads. With 218 seats needed for a majority, Republicans so far have officially won 233, while Democrats have won 174.

Click to read more ...