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 April Radiologists at Providence get two month reprieve Two radiology groups that filed a federal anti-trust lawsuit against Providence Health System and its physician partners have been given a reprieve. On May 1, Body Imaging and EPIC Imaging-East anticipated being thrown off the PPO panel run by Providence Health Plans. But those contracts were extended until June 30. When the case comes before U.S. District Court on June 20, their attorneys will urge Judge Garr M. King to grant injunctive relief, keeping their contracts with Providence in place until a trial can be held. “We want to preserve the status quo so a jury has the opportunity to decide if Providence violated the anti-trust law,” said Michael Neff, whose law firm represents the radiologists. Correction: Maryclair Jorgensen, executive director of the InterHospital Physicians Association, asked Oregon Health News to post the following retraction related to this story: "The statement in the April 2005 Oregon Health News regarding Providence Health Plan moving toward a closed panel in no way reflects the actual view or belief of either the IPA or (myself)," Jorgensen said. "The IPA and Providence Health Plan have had a long-term relationship and there is no indication of their intent to become a closed panel." Hospitals launch transparency effort IScore one for the hospitals. Just as pressure mounts from high profile legislators such as Sen. Ben Westlund (R–Bend) to get more information about the cost and quality of medical procedures – commonly known as transparency – the hospital association beat them to the punch. A new Web site informs consumers and health policy wonks about the average price for the most common procedures, gives a breakdown of revenue from commercial, Medicare and Medicaid sources and a composite of charity care and bad debt. “This is a way to get things rolling,” said Kevin Earls, vice president and chief financial officer of the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems. “We want to get our toe in the water.” In barely two months, the association posted its Web site, following the lead of Wisconsin. Providence expands The Tanasbourne Medical Plaza owned by Providence Health System will undergo a major expansion in 2006, assuming Hillsboro’s Planning Department approves the project. The plaza, located on NW 185th Ave., will have four buildings – 360,000 square feet – including medical offices, clinics and related services. Each building will be two or three stories high, according to a fact sheet prepared by Dave Fiskum who handles strategic communications. A hospital is not envisioned on the site. Several years ago Hillsboro’s City Council turned down Providence’s zoning request to build a hospital. Wanted: Ombudsman Consumer advocates in Eugene are adamant about the need for an ombudsman to make certain low-income people aren’t shortchanged by Oregon Health Plan contractors. Their energy reached a crescendo last summer after Lane County IPA was accused of treating clients and vendors rudely, delaying decisions, denying coverage and failing to submit complaints in a timely fashion. After a state investigation, LIPA agreed to an 18-month voluntary monitoring program overseen by OMAP. Legislation sponsored by Sen. Bill Morrisette (D–Springfield) would create an ombudsman office, but is unlikely to survive the Ways and Means Committee. Leapfrog ready to hop into Oregon It’s only fitting the Leapfrog Group mailed questionnaires to Oregon hospitals around April 15. The letters were as welcome as a visit from the tax man. Leapfrog is a national coalition of more than 170 employers concerned with patient safety. While active in a number of states since 1998, it’s just now moving into Oregon thanks to the leadership of Corrie Zenzola of Intel. Passing the bucks Smokers fumed when the cigarette tax dropped by a dime, and they didn’t reap the savings. Instead, retailers kept prices at the same level and pocketed the cash. Senate Bill 876 is somewhat similar for mental health organizations. If the legislature passed a cost-of-living adjustment, mental health organizations would have to pass the increase to its providers. The skinny on obesity Advocates who hope to limit junk food in school vending machines met unlikely opposition when the Senate Education and Workforce Committee heard Senate Bills 560 and 860. Sen. Vicki Walker (D–Eugene) surprised the gallery by siding with vending machine advocates who argued students should be able to make their own choices. All is not lost, however, for those who want more fruit juice and less soda pop in school hallways. Walker has formed a working group to revamp the bill to gain support from the business community. Taxing tobacco Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em. But smoke ‘em quick, the price may be going up. A coalition wants to reinstate the 10-cent cigarette tax. House Bill 2048 would net about $28 million per biennium for the Oregon Health Plan, bringing in another $50 million in federal matching funds. Conservative groups are opposed. “Voters rejected the cigarette tax as part of a larger tax package,” said Jason Williams, executive director of the Taxpayer Association of Oregon. Expanding King-dom As Picasso would say, “success is dangerous.” Just ask Howard “Rocky” King. As administrator of the Insurance Pool Governing Board, he remains a favorite of legislators. Last session, for example, lawmakers saddled him with the responsibility of crafting two insurance plans – one for children, the other for uninsured adults. They also expanded the role of the Family Health Insurance Assistance Program, which he runs. It’s too early to know how successful the plans will be (only Regence and Health Net offer them), but King’s done so well, he might be saddled with two new tasks. Also in this issue...
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