Oregon Counting On Numbers To Help Track Healthcare Reform

OPB | March 21, 2013 6:27 a.m.

A year from now, how will the state know if health care reforms are working? By tracking a host of measures, and watching to see if they improve.

Legislators Wrestle With Revamping Oregon's Health Care System

Sept. 10, 2012 1:57 p.m.

As Oregon attempts to revamp its health care system, the state legislature will have to make all kinds of changes. One goal, which has plagued lawmakers for years, is to reduce the cost of medical malpractice lawsuits.

Oregon Unveils New Alzheimer's Care Plan

July 30, 2012 7:30 a.m.

Oregon unveiled its new plan to improve care for people with Alzheimer's Monday.

Q&A: Kitzhaber Signs Health Insurance Exchange

OPB | March 08, 2012 8:31 a.m.

Governor John Kitzhaber signed Oregon's new Health Insurance Exchange into law today. Kristian Foden-Vencil was at the signing in Portland he’s with me now.

Oregon's Idea For Fixing Medicaid Hits The National Stage

OPB | May 13, 2012 11 p.m.

When an Oregon idea makes it to the national stage, there's a lot of excitement. So, what is the big idea? Well, it's nothing short of a complete change in the way Oregon's sickest people get health care.

State Creates Long-Term Care Insurance Appeals Process

July 26, 2012 11:32 p.m.

Until now, you used to have to go to court if your long-term insurance claim was denied. But now Oregon has a new appeals process.

New Rules Lower Flexible Spending Account Contributions

OPB | June 03, 2012 11 p.m.

Oregonians lucky enough to have a job, may also have the option of a flexible spending account at work. It's a financial agreement that allows employers to give staff a way to reduce their taxes.

Federal Program Studies The Bygone Medical Tradition Of House Calls

OPB | May 07, 2012 11 p.m.

The federal government is looking at the possibility that house calls by a health care professional might be a better and cheaper way of providing treatment, especially for people who are really sick.

Benefits Managers Can Slow Pharmaceutical Deliveries

OPB | Feb. 16, 2012 11:27 a.m.

When you go to the pharmacy, you expect whoever's behind the counter to fill your prescription, right?

But a fight between pharmacists and the half dozen big companies that manage prescriptions is leaving some patients empty handed -- and sometimes in serious pain.

Local Hospitals Trying To Reduce Medical Mistakes

OPB | March 04, 2012 10:39 p.m.

As part of the health care overhaul, the federal government is trying to reduce the number of medical mistakes made by hospitals. OPB visited one local hospital to see the steps being taken there.

CDC Warns Of Increasing Clostridium Difficile Infections

OPB | March 06, 2012 7:25 a.m.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a call for action Tuesday after releasing a report on so-called Clostridium Difficile infections.

Coordinated Care Organizations Getting Closer But Not Clearer

OPB | Jan. 03, 2012 10 p.m.

After months of activity, the Oregon Health Policy Board has rolled out its idea for changing the way the state delivers health care to low-income Oregonians. But there's still a lot of confusion.

Q&A: Getting Employees To Take Better Care Of Themselves

OPB | Jan. 10, 2012 10:07 a.m.

The state of Oregon is trying to get its employees to take better care of themselves -- to give up smoking and exercise more.   So it has introduced a new health care model.

Looking For New Ways To Measure Health Care Success

OPB | Nov. 07, 2011 10 p.m.

Oregon health officials are looking at some fundamental changes to the state’s health care system.
And one of their goals is to figure out a way to measure how the changes are working -- and to grade success.

Medical Community Overcoming Reluctance To Track Patient Records On Computers

OPB | Oct. 24, 2011 11 p.m.

Over the last 30 years, computers have been absorbed into most walks of life.

But some hospitals and doctors’ clinics have avoided using the technology to keep track of patients’ medical records.

State Workers Will Soon Need To Assess Their Health Risks

OPB | Sept. 19, 2011 11:45 p.m.

The state wants its workers to take better care of themselves -- to give up smoking  or lose weight. So state benefits officials just introduced a new health care change.