The Lund Report

Business Leaders Join Health Improvement Committee

February 17, 2010 -- Three business leaders have been appointed to the Health Improvement Committee by the Oregon Health Policy Board. Read More >>

Oregon Regulators Stand Up to Insurers

It's a great day for consumers and small businesses, said State Sen. Chip Shields
February 16, 2010 -- Despite heated objections by health insurance companies, state regulators at the Oregon Insurance Division finalized rules on Tuesday (Feb. 16) making every part of their rate filing open to the public. Read More >>

Regence Wants Slow Approach on Reform

Since 2006, Massachusetts has seen a dramatic reduction in premiums for individuals and small businesses after creating an insurance exchange.
February 11, 2010 – It was quite a coincidence. Almost the same time Regence BlueCross BlueShield received approval to raise individual rates by 16 percent, one of its top executives urged policymakers to proceed slowly with setting up an insurance exchange so the market wouldn’t be disrupted.   Read More >>

Hospitals Unlikely to Put Mistakes in Writing

Oregon hospitals are also reporting too few errors, while on their way to adopting a standard surgical checklist
February 11, 2010 -- Despite a concerted effort by the Oregon Patient Safety Commission, Oregon hospitals are falling short in providing written notice to patients that a mistake occurred within their facility. Read More >>

Counties Vote to Prioritize Community Mental Health

County officials statewide manage nearly unanimous vote
February 11, 2010 -- An influential group of elected officials believe it’s more important to fund community mental health before building another hospital in Junction City that’s scheduled to open in 2013. Read More >>

Honzel and Worcester Chair Health Incentives Committee

February 11, 2010 -- Denise Honzel, a consultant for the Health Leadership Task Force, and John Worcester, manager of benefits and compensation for Oregon Steel Mills, have been chosen as co-chairs of the new Health Incentives and Outcomes Committee that will focus on payment reform and quality standards. Read More >>

Don't Forget Your Checklist at the Hospital

A Johns Hopkins study shows checklists before catheters almost eliminate infections
February 11, 2010 -- Last week, the British Medical Journal published a report by a Johns Hopkins University research team that was nothing short of astonishing. Read More >>

Oregon Health Authority Taps Bobby Green

February 11, 2010 -- Former Lane County Commissioner Bobby Green has joined the Oregon Health Authority as director of local government affairs. In that capacity he’ll be working with Barney Speight to coordinate the purchasing of public health, addictions and mental health services with county and local governments. Read More >>

Shirtcliff Leads Medical Directors Group

February 11, 2010 -- Dr. Mike Shirtcliff, president and CEO of Advantage Dental Plan, has become the first dentist to chair a policy group that advises the state’s Medicaid division, known as the Oregon Health Plan Medical Directors, which meets monthly. Read More >>

Small Businesses Face Brunt of Insurance Hikes

State regulators approve rate requests for Regence and HealthNet, while other requests are pending
February 11, 2010 -- The Oregon Insurance Division approved a 16 percent rate increase on Regence individual health plans renewing after April and a 12.2 percent increase on HealthNet small group plans. Read More >>
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