CareOregon soars above other OHP contractors

Soon after Dave Ford took over the reins of CareOregon, an amendment was added to its mission statement. Providing quality health care access to the state’s vulnerable population is now followed by “a well-managed, financially sound organization.”

As CEO, Ford has adhered to the new mantra. Under his watch, CareOregon has soared above the other Oregon Health Plan contractors, earning net incomes of $45.2 million in 2005 and $34.5 million in 2004. Its profit margins for those years far outpaced the other contractors, reaching 15.1 percent and 13.5 percent, respectively, while its medical-loss ratio — the amount of money pumped back into medical services — dipped close to the bottom in comparison to the other OHP contractors, standing at 77.8 percent in 2005 and 79 percent in 2004.

Kaiser changes policy for Robinson residents

Kaiser Permanente has changed its policy toward Jewish residents of the Robison Home following an article that appeared in Oregon Health News ("Hold the bacon," June 2006). Its residents no longer have to be moved to another skilled nursing facility in Portland, according to Andy Kyler, administrator of Kaiser's continuing care services.

“I appreciate Oregon Health News stepping up and taking the time to say this issue merits attention,” said David Fuks, CEO of Cedar Sinai Park, which runs Robison. “Talking about this issue out loud was extremely helpful.”

Celebrating 16 years of telling the truth

When Oregon Health Forum was conceived in 1990, no one dared to dream it would become such a dynamic force. As we prepare to celebrate our 16th anniversary in November, the newsletter still remains the cornerstone of our non-profit organization.

We created Oregon Health News to make health policy issues more visible and understandable to all constituency groups. We have never shied away from telling the truth about the health care industry despite criticism from hospitals, insurers, providers and pharmaceutical companies. Nor have we ever accepted an advertisement or a special interest donation.

On the record with Gov. Ted Kulongoski

Gov. Ted Kulongoski prides himself on Oregon's prescription drug plan, his healthy kids initiative and his efforts to keep the Oregon Health Plan alive. Nevertheless, the profitability of hospitals and health insurers is at an all-time high. Even the OHP contractors haven’t suffered financially. If the governor is re-elected, how does he plan to control health care costs, reduce the uninsured rate and lead the transparency movement providing consumers about the actual cost of hospital care? Diane Lund-Muzikant, editor-in-chief of Oregon Health News, posed those questions to Gov. Kulongoski in mid-October, She conducted a similar interview with Republican contender Ron Saxton that appeared in the September issue of Oregon Health News and is available on the "What's New" section of our Web site.

OHN: You've proposed a healthy kids initiative to cover 117,000 uninsured children by increasing the tobacco tax. But when those taxes are raised, typically, fewer people light up. How do you plan to keep this program alive financially?

TK: I don’t think that will be the case given the trend in tobacco products. There are two pieces to the cigarette tax. One is cigarettes and the other is smokeless products, which are growing like crazy. Of the revenue generated, 60 percent will go into the healthy kids initiative. The rest will be split among other health care programs, with 10 percent going to prevention. For the rest of the conversation, that did not make it into the newsletter, please visit the "What's New" section of our Web site.

Health care dollars add up in campaigns

Health care is playing a pivotal role in the form of the almighty dollar among the fiercest battles to control the Oregon legislature. While cash fell largely in the laps of incumbents on both sides of the aisle, money attached to health care interests piled highest among House Republican leaders, based on an analysis of state records by Oregon Health News.

No candidate, including the two running for governor, received more gifts from the health care industry than House Speaker Karen Minnis (R—Wood Valley). She accepted more than $200,000 from health care interests, including $36,750 from drug companies, $40,000 from the alcohol and tobacco lobby and $25,000 from the Oregon Nurses Association.

Also in this issue...

• BME turns corner in application process
  
• Rate changes upset OHP contractors
  
• OHN examines hospital bottom lines
  
• OHPR issues data call to insurers
  

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