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 November Governor wants Emergency Board to decide OHP fate While everyone awaits the dim economic forecast leading to a special session, the Oregon Health Plan in taking center stage. During a series of stump speeches before various medical constituencies, Governor Kitzhaber is adamant about having the waiver to expand the health plan before the Legislative Emergency Board on Jan. 31. Southwest Washington and Legacy turn to the public Although the finish line is still months away, the fierce public relations campaigns between two rival hospital systems recently came to a halt. Public comment over whether a new hospital should be built in Vancouver lasted just one day. The certificate of need office will sift through the massive amount of information from the public and the health systems to determine whether a second hospital is needed. Transplants could crush OHP insurers The case of Brandy Stroeder, a 19-year-old critically ill patient who fought unsuccessfully to make the state pay for a rare and costly lung-liver transplant, ignited debate over the searing price of transplants and the anti-rejection drugs associated with them. Bill Guest, president and CEO of Cascade Comprehensive Care, which covers 6,100 OHP enrollees in Klamath County, said an uneven amount of transplants in a single year could sink his company. Obstetricians protest in Klamath County Three of Klamath County's four obstetricians are boycotting CareOregon patients. Access problems heighten Oregon Health & Science University clinics have not been taking new Oregon Health Plan patients for the last three months, said Dr. John Saultz, director of primary clinical services. However, if a patient on commercial insurance returns as a OHP client, they will be accepted. In the nine clinics run by OHSU, 35 percent of patients are either on Medicaid or have no insurance. Kruse blames government "The main thing wrong with health care is government involvement", said Rep. Jeff Kruse, who spoke before the Oregon Health Underwriters annual conference in October.. "The two most inflationary acts were Medicare and Medicaid. It's not my responsibility to take care of you. I'm term limited and can say whatever I want." Pharmacists reined in Physicians object to pharmacists changing the strength, directions or quantity of medication without informing them. To that end, the Oregon Medical Association will explore ways to improve communication by working with the Board of Pharmacy and the Oregon State Pharmacists Association. Medicare cuts rain on doctors The new year will ring in new woes for physicians. On Jan. 1, Medicare reimbursement rates will fall 5.4 percent, taking a healthy bite out of physicians' bottom lines. Also in this issue...
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