Money Flow

Oregon Insurers Double Profits From Last Year

Shedding members, padding surplus and increasing profits continued
September 1, 2010 -- Oregon’s eight largest health insurers continued to shed members and increase profits in the first six months of this year, based on the industry’s latest financial statements released by the Oregon Insurance Division. Read More >>

Family Physicians Seek $6 Million for Loan Repayment

The legislative proposal would provide funds for rural practitioners throughout Oregon
August 11, 2010 -- It’s not news that Oregon faces a shortage of primary care physicians, particularly in rural areas. Recruiting new physicians to family care -- frequently with longer hours and lower pay than other specialties -- has always been a challenge, but is even more difficult in a less than stellar economic climate. Read More >>

Healthcare Executives Back John Kitzhaber

The Oregon healthcare industry is putting the weight of sizeable political donations behind Democrat John Kitzhaber
August 4, 2010 -- In the race for Oregon governor, healthcare organizations and the industry’s top executives have contributed nearly five times more to Democrat John Kitzhaber than his Republican opponent, Chris Dudley, with one noticeable exception. Read More >>

Consumers Union Questions Record Surplus

Regence is one of seven Blue Cross plans the consumer group accuses of hoarding a record surplus while drastically raising rates
July 29, 2010 -- Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance companies across the country have defended record surplus levels showcased in a Consumers Union report last week, and Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oregon is no exception. Read More >>

Healthcare Costs Becoming More Transparent

An all-claims all-payer data base will reveal the true cost of healthcare services charged by hospitals and providers
July 29, 2010 -- Have you ever wondered whether a hospital in Bend or Portland charges the same price for coronary artery bypass surgery? As most of us realize, there’s not one single price. Read More >>

HIV/AIDS Funding Could Be Slashed

Counties in Oregon face cutbacks because of the state’s budget deficit
July 29, 2010 -- Counties throughout Oregon could face a significant funding cut in their HIV/AIDS programs as a result of the state’s $577 million budget deficit. Read More >>

PEBB Expected to Increase Rates

The Public Employees Benefit Board is likely to approve an overall 9.93 percent hike when it meets Friday afternoon
July 7, 2010 -- Now that the $34 million hole has been plugged for state employee benefits for 2011, the Public Employees Benefit Board is preparing to accept rate increases to cover that gap when it meets on Friday afternoon. Read More >>

PEBB Dips Into Reserves to Fill $34 Million Hole

But state agencies without general fund support such as DCBS could face lay-offs
June 30, 2010 -- Labor officials got a reprieve on Tuesday when the Public Employees Benefit Board decided not to cut the healthcare benefits of state employees next year despite having to patch a $34 million budget hole. Read More >>

PEBB Deadlocks Over $34 Million Hole

Medical costs for state employees expected to increase 9.9 percent next year
June 24, 2010 – A $34 million hole for rising medical costs next year continues to perplex labor and management officials who found themselves at odds yesterday. Read More >>

Medical Costs Threaten to Cripple State Budget

Labor officials insist on tapping into reserves to help meet PEBB’s $34 million deficit
June 16, 2010 -- With a $34 million deficit looming, the Public Employees’ Benefit Board finds itself in a quandary about how to rein in rising medical costs next year. Labor and management representatives were unable to reach consensus when they met in Salem yesterday. Read More >>
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