On June 11, Oregon's legislature passed historic health reform legislation based on the recommendations of the Oregon Health Fund Board. In particular, HB 2009 creates an Oregon Health Authority, responisble for streamlining and aligning state health purchasers and programs to maximize efficiency, organize state health policy and health services, and for implementing the health reform policies and programs also created in HB 2009.

This summer and fall, OHPR will work closely with the Oregon Health Authority Director and partners inside and outside the Health Authority to implement HB 2009, which included several new responsibilities for OHPR; a new all-claims, all-payer database; a patient-centered primary care home program; a new health care workforce database; uniform quality standards and health care guidelines; uniform standards for insurers; and a new capital project reporting program for hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers. In addition, OHPR will provide staff support to the new Oregon Health Policy Board and Health Information Technology Oversight Committee.

The Governor is now seeking nominations and suggestions for Oregon Health Policy Board members who are committed to a Healthy Oregon and to providing access to quality affordable health care to all Oregonians. The deadline for submitting is August 7, 2009. For information, please see link below