In Oregon, 97% of people have health coverage, and the expansion of the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) has played a significant role in that progress. Hospitals are proud to do their part in funding OHP through an assessment, or tax, on their revenue, which helps the state secure federal matching funds. Now the Legislature must do its part by passing HB 2010, reauthorizing the hospital assessment, or OHP stands to lose nearly $2 billion in funding, putting access to care at risk. “This is really about one in three Oregonians that depend on this revenue source for coverage," Sean Kolmer, executive vice president of external affairs, shared with the Oregon House Committee on Behavioral Health and Health Care in a hearing Feb. 6. "These are seniors, these are kids, these are rural communities, these are providers." @IamTravisNelson @Real_EdDiehl @Shannon4OR @RobNosse @HaiforOregon @RepCyrusJavadi @DarinHarbickOre

@OurLegacyHealth has reached a major milestone: 1,000 patients treated with one of two advanced heart procedures. One patient treated by Dr. Amish Desai, an interventional cardiologist and director of the Structural Heart Program at Legacy Medical Group, praised Dr. Desai and the care team, adding, “I’m off the blood thinners and have my life back.” Thanks to Legacy Health for providing these life-changing procedures.

Chair @RobNosse of the House Committee on Behavioral Health and Health Care spoke on the importance of Oregon's Medicaid program in a recent committee hearing: "This program is very, very important." We agree. Today, 97% of Oregonians are insured—an achievement made possible in part by the contributions of Oregon hospitals, which help fund the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) through an assessment, or tax, on their revenue. This session, the Oregon Legislature needs to pass HB 2010 to reauthorize the hospital assessment, or OHP stands to lose nearly $2 billion in funding, putting access to care at risk. @IamTravisNelson @Real_EdDiehl @RepCyrusJavadi @HaiforOregon @Shannon4OR @DarinHarbickOre

Government programs like the Oregon Health Plan don’t pay hospitals enough to cover the cost of providing care, which is putting access to health care services at risk. “That’s just not a math equation that will work indefinitely,” said President and CEO Becky Hultberg.

"On behalf of Oregon’s 61 community hospitals—from Coos Bay to Enterprise and everywhere in between—I ask legislators to support the governor’s budget, including supporting HB 2010 to reauthorize the provider taxes that help fund OHP and taking action to increasing funding for hospitals serving OHP members. These steps will not only protect access to care for all Oregonians but will help hospitals continue their important role in keeping our communities healthy and vibrant." -- Becky Hultberg, President and CEO

With the expansion of Oregon’s Medicaid program, 97% of Oregonians now have coverage. But the state only pays hospitals 56 cents for every dollar it costs them to provide care, and as a result more than half of Oregon’s hospitals are operating in the red. Hospitals need financial stability to maintain access to important services for everyone who needs them, that’s why this session we are advocating for policies that provide increased financial stability.

Hospitals never close, so they use a lot of energy. Kaiser Permanente has been a leader in energy efficiency. For example, the @KPNorthwest Westside Medical Center in Hillsboro is a certified LEED Gold facility, the nationally recognized top rating for “green” buildings. Efficient water use, solar energy, and access to public transportation are some of the ways Kaiser Permanente delivers excellent patient care while reducing its carbon footprint.

The Hospital Association of Oregon joins in today’s tribute to the late Oregon Senate President Peter Courtney, who led a remarkable life of service. In addition to standing as a champion of the institution of the Oregon Legislature, Courtney was committed to the health and safety of our communities. Among his many causes and accomplishments, Courtney advocated for access to health care for all Oregonians. We salute Courtney, who left a shining legacy to the people of the state he loved.

Troy Duker, director of government affairs for the hospital association, testified Tuesday in support of HB 2748 during a hearing in the House Committee on Behavioral Health and Health Care. The bill, sponsored by Rep. @IamTravisNelson, prohibits non-human entities, including artificial intelligence, from using the title "nurse" and other titles for certain health care professionals. While the use of AI tools is growing in health care, they are different than the care nurses provide patients. Thanks to @Real_EdDiehl, Chair @RobNosse, @HaiforOregon, @RepCyrusJavadi and the rest of the committee for the thoughtful participation.

After a local man had a heart attack at PDX after his flight home from watching a rocket launch in Florida, EMTs and the care team at @ahnw Adventist Health Portland sprang into action. Two surgeries and a steady rehab routine have Craig Gleason back on his feet doing what he loves--enjoying the outdoors.

@salemhealth has devoted considerable resources to reducing violence in the workplace, and the efforts are producing results. Signs placed in facilities like the one below are just one of the measures that have helped bring down reported incidents of violence by 21% in the past year. The program is known as Harmful Words and Actions and has received national recognition. Oregon’s hospitals are working to create a safe environment for staff and patients.

“Like any organization or household, hospitals can’t lose money indefinitely. We have to begin to close the gap between what it costs to provide care for Oregon Health Plan members and what hospitals are paid.” - Becky Hultberg, president and CEO This year, Oregon hospitals are working together to protect access to care for all Oregonians. More than half of Oregon’s community hospitals are consistently operating in the red and this puts access to care for all of us at risk. We are advocating to secure funding for the Oregon Health Plan and hospitals serving OHP patients, as well as supporting policies that help patients transition to the next appropriate level of care when they are ready to leave the hospital.

We appreciated the opportunity to share with the news media some of the challenges Oregon hospitals continue to face and the policy solutions we are advocating for this legislative session. Oregon has expanded the Medicaid (the Oregon Health Plan), and 97% of Oregonians now have health insurance. “We should absolutely celebrate that achievement, and hospitals are proud of the critical role they play in securing federal Medicaid funding,” said President and CEO Becky Hultberg, who added that the Oregon Health Plan contributes to hospitals’ financial distress by only paying  56 cents for every dollar of care a hospital provides.

The 83rd Oregon Legislative Assembly kicks into high gear today with the first policy committee meetings. The hospital association advocacy team looks forward to collaborating with lawmakers and other stakeholders on policy that will improve access to care, create financial sustainability for hospitals, and continue the work of building the health care #workforce.

We applaud @GovTinaKotek for her leadership and commitment to funding the Oregon Health Plan (OHP), which provides coverage for one in three Oregonians. OHP only pays hospitals 56 cents for every dollar of care they provide, threatening access to maternity care and other vital services. We look forward to working with the governor, legislators, and other stakeholders to ensure this critical program is fully funded and increases payments to hospitals for the care they provide. Together, we can build a healthier and more resilient Oregon for everyone.

@STCHealth announced plans to open a new community pharmacy in Madras. Several community organizations are collaborating to build the pharmacy, including the Central Oregon Health Council. The pharmacy will improve access to prescriptions for patients in the area. “We are thrilled to buck the trend and open a new community pharmacy to help provide needed access to our community,” said Dr. Leo Savage, a primary care physician at St. Charles Family Care who has served the community for 25 years. “This development will have an overwhelmingly positive impact on the lives of our patients.” The goal is to have the pharmacy open in late spring of 2025.

Oregon’s hospitals support innovative approaches to expand nurse education programs statewide, including the recent $1 million grant to Bushnell University in Eugene. The grant comes from the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission and supports the innovative “Paving a Pathway to Practice” program, which focuses on training and employing nurses to work in rural settings in Oregon. #workforcedevelopment #nurses

Government programs like the Oregon Health Plan don’t pay hospitals enough to cover the cost of providing care, which is putting access to health care services at risk. “That’s just not a math equation that will work indefinitely,” said President and CEO Becky Hultberg.

Here’s an ingenious and creative way to re-purpose sterile processing wrap, which is very important but not easily recyclable in Central Oregon. Now instead of sending it to the landfill, @STCHealth is now reusing the sterile processing wrap to create tote bags for families with new babies. Thanks to Bend Anesthesiology Group and volunteers for helping with the project.

“Exploring the end of life creates opportunities to celebrate life.” In pursuit of that idea, @ProvMedford Medical Center has assembled a team of volunteers who show up with love for patients at the end of their lives. Their mission is simple: To be with someone at their most vulnerable moment and provide care and comfort. Oregon’s hospitals provide a unique opportunity for acts of service that support their communities by providing relief for patients and families.