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 We realize we are one small part of the huge world of health care on the Internet. There are many interesting and useful sites out there for you to visit, on everything from specific diseases to grandiose health policy debates. Here are a few that we find useful. The inclusion of these sites does not represent an endorsement. Do you know of other interesting Web sites? E-mail us if you think we should link to them. Oregon: Talk Health Reform -- A new site promoting public conversation on health policy in Oregon State government -- Connections to numerous state departments and agencies Office for Oregon Health Policy and Research -- Monitors health care reform, including the state's Medicaid program Office of Medical Assistance Programs -- Runs the Oregon Health Plan Dept. of Consumer and Business Services -- Includes the state Insurance Division Dept. of Human Services -- Includes the state Health Division, and Senior and Disabled Services Oregon Health Decisions -- Promotes discussions about health care in Oregon to empower the public and improve public understanding and participation Milne & Associates is a public health consulting firm dedicated to strengthening public health practice and creating healthy communities. Advocacy groups | Resources: Oregon Health Care Quality Corp Oregonians for Health Security Oregon coalition of Health Care Purchasers NW Insurance Council answers questions from consumers on different types of insurance, health included. Care.com is a resource for companions, nurses, and other in-home elder care providers. Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue offers emergency preparedness resources for hospitals. National groups: The Alliance for Health Reform is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization operating out of Washington, D.C. The Alliance offers a full array of resources and viewpoints, in a number of formats, to elected officials and their staffs, journalists, policy analysts and advocates. Families USA Foundation -- A national health consumer watchdog group that compiles special reports and news releases on health care in the U.S. The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) is a not-for-profit organization driving the improvement of health by advancing the quality and value of health care. The Leapfrog Group is an initiative driven by organizations that buy health care who are working to initiate breakthrough improvements in the safety, quality and affordability of health care for Americans. Their consumer site contains information on hospital ratings. NCQA -- National Committee for Quality Assurance -- Conducts rigorous accreditation reviews of health plans Providers: The Oregon Optometric Physicians Association (OOPA) is a statewide organization comprised of doctors of optometry, college of optometry faculty, optometric students and industry-related professionals. Osteopathic Physicians & Surgeons of Oregon, Inc. contains a search engine for finding an osteopathic provider near you as well as information on OPSO. Doctor's Guide to the Internet -- Great source of information for doctors and patients alike on Internet medical resources The HMO Page -- Site sponsored by Physicians Who Care, with basic information about managed care, news on HMOs and horror stories from patients, including the " Atrocity of the Month " Oregon Health & Science University -- Information on departments and programs within both the hospital and the university HospitalWeb -- A list of all of hospital web sites around the world Oregon Assn. of Hospitals and Health Systems -- Includes health care data and other information on Oregon hospitals, health systems and health plans Oregon Health Insurers: CareOregon is a not-for-profit organization aimed at protecting the health of low income and vulnerable Oregonians. They are a Medicaid managed care plan serving Oregonians eligible for the Oregon Health Plan. FamilyCare, Inc. is one of the oldest Medicaid managed care plans in Oregon. Their site contains an online drug formulary and information on participating providers. Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon LifeWise Health Plan of Oregon Oregon Dental Insurers (Most of the above health insurers also offer dental coverage): News: Medscape -- A directory of articles, abstracts and other information to improve patient care Modern Healthcare -- National weekly magazine covering health care Indexes: Health A to Z -- A search engine and database of thousands of health and medicine sites The Health Pages -- Searchable index of doctors and insurance companies by state and speciality; the Oregon information is still sketchy Easy Diagnosis -- Uses a proprietary expert system software to provide health care consumers with an ordered list of probable diagnoses given various symptoms |
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