OMA’s Advocacy Priorities
Implementation of Health System and Payment Reform
As Health System Reform is implemented in Oregon, physicians, other health care providers and informed patients must be the primary decision-makers for each patient’s individual health. Reform should create pluralistic delivery systems that promote appropriate and fair competition rather than policies that favor one delivery system of care over another. The OMA continues to support policies that will incentivize and prioritize healthy lifestyles and recognize personal responsibility as well as improve medical quality and outcomes.
Addressing Workforce Challenges
We know from survey data that one in five Oregon physicians will retire in the next five years. The OMA is committed to supporting the development and retention of an adequate number of well-educated physicians in all specialties to meet anticipated health care needs of all Oregonians.
Improving Public Health, Prevention and Wellness
OMA’s physicians are in a unique position to lead on issues relating to the general health and safety of Oregonians. The OMA believes in working towards increased awareness of public health issues in Oregon, providing education and disseminating health information to practitioners and to the public, strengthening public health capacities and services, and improving the health and prevention of disease and disability.
Improving Oregon’s Practice Climate
The OMA is working to improve Oregon’s practice environment and work actively to influence policy to attract and retain adequate numbers of physicians and an appropriate specialty mix to meet the needs of the entire state. This includes comprehensive liability reform, insurance reform and continuing efforts to implement administrative simplification.
OMA’s Legislative Priorities
Protecting Low Income Oregonians’ Access to Health Care
The Governor’s budget includes significant provider payment and benefit reductions that cut physician payments by 16 to 19 percent from the 2011 rate levels. The budget will also restrict service access through prior authorization and reduces the prioritized conditions paid for by the OHP. To preserve access to health care for all Oregonians, physicians and other health care providers must be reimbursed at a rate that covers the true cost of providing medical services.
SB 608 – Funding for the Rural Medical Liability Reimbursement Program
Oregon currently subsidizes the malpractice premiums of rural providers. Funds for this program will run out at the end of 2011. The legislature needs to allocate $5.5 M. to keep this program funded and preserve access for obstetrical services in rural Oregon.
SB 634—Silent Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs)
Oregon needs transparency and better regulation in PPO markets. Health care reimbursement rates and claims coverage must be predictable so physicians are paid reasonable fees for their services and patients are not left paying unexpected out-of-pocket expenses.
SB 231/HB 2679 – Improvements to Overpayment Recovery
Last session, patients and physicians were given the same protections as insurance companies when errors occur in claims processing and payment. SB 231 will clarify that resubmitting rejected claims to a new insurer will be considered timely for purposes of timely filing requirements.