Exciting times for health care reform in Oregon — at least, we hope so!

With the passage of SB 329 in 2007, the Oregon Health Fund Board began developing their plan to insure Oregonians through a system of “accountable health plans” who were obligated to serve Oregonians holding an “Oregon Health Card”. The bill itself sets a goal to provide essential health services (as defined by the governing boards) to ALL Oregon residents. While this sounds very exciting, we also know the Federal government does not support universal health care, and with the AARP’s position that seniors should be able to access similar benefits from Medicare nationwide, some aspects of this bill are not currently feasible practically or politically.

The most important work going on now is the implementation, which the Oregon Health Fund Board will develop through their committee work. One interesting aspect is that the committees are assuming a certain package of supporting health related bills must go through the legislature (as soon as 2009). One such policy would require all Oregonians to maintain health insurance (an aspect of Massachusetts’ health care reform package).

I’m particularly happy to see that the Northwest Health Foundation has undertaken health policy advocacy work, as demonstrated by their new blog about health care reform. Now so far there is just one post, inviting others to comment, and a few have stopped in to post their excitement for the possibilities. Rumor has it that NW Health Foundation is changing their grantmaking focus to support health policy reform work (after several years of funding community based action research, a grassroots approach to making change).

Let’s continue to generate some chatter from down here in Lane County! Comment here and on the health reform blog about what YOU think Oregon needs to change about our health care system.