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 February Legacy hospitals make $31.75 million in fiscal 1997 The hospitals in Legacy Health System had a very good financial year compared to their Portland rivals. The hospital chain wound up with $31.75 million in operating income, better known as profit in the corporate world, according to audited financial reports filed with the Dept. of Justice. SUMMARY: Legacy's total income, including all affiliates and investment profits, was nearly $42 million for the fiscal year that ended March 31, 1997, the most recent year that was available. Other hospitals in the Portland market also had successful years, but Legacy led the pack. According to reports filed with the Office of Oregon Health Plan Policy and Research, seven of the nine largest hospitals around the city provided charity care worth less tha 2 percent of their gross patient charges. Legacy Emanuel Medical Center topped that list at 2.72 percent. Should unhealthy people pay more for insurance? With Oregon and federal regulations increasingly requiring insurers to take all comers, health plans and physicians are worried they'll lose money under capitation. They're fearful of adverse selection -- too many sick people using too much health care. As a result, researchers are looking at insurance models that adjust rates based on health status. Oregon insurance regulators are looking into the issue of risk adjustment and recommendations are expected by the beginning of 1999. Insurance companies see it as a matter of fairness as more and more guaranteed issue laws are passed. Washington is already moving in the direction of risk adjustement, by allowing insurers to adjust their rates based on health status for state employees. Numbers reveal most health plans fall short on CD services For the first time since the implementation of the Oregon Health Plan, state officials have released information on the utilization of alcohol and drug services (outpatient counseling/methadone). Six health plans fell below the minimum threshold -- 2 percent -- during the first 24 months: Cascade Comprehensive Care, Central Oregon IHS, FamilyCare, Kaiser Permanente, Providence Health Plan (Portland) and Tuality Healthcare. In a series of charts, OHF shows the utilization rates for alcohol and drug services by health plan, and the picture is not encouraging. The state set an expectation that 2 percent to 4 percent of each plan's Oregon Health Plan members would seek treatment; 10 of 16 plans did not meet the target. This story examines the question, "If the plans are being paid based on that target but aren't treating that many people, is there extra money and where is it going?" The state has never before released the alcohol and drug penetration rates by plan. Women physicians face tough odds as leaders When considering the status of women in the health care industry, Oregon's glass is either half full or half empty. In the last three decades, the female presence in the conference room, the classroom and the operating room has increased rapidly. . . .However, if the criterion for judging women's accomplishments is policy-making and leadership roles, much remains to be done. OHF takes a snapshot look at the status of women leaders in Oregon's health care industry. The conclusions are mixed: women have made and continue to make great strides, but there's plenty of room for improvement. An informal survey of the major health systems in Oregon showed 36 percent of the top executive positions are held by women. However, the proportions vary widely. Other headlines
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