2005 Archive
Information about the EMT tax credit is now available on our website.
The next CMS Rural Health Open Door Forum will be on Tuesday December 20, 2005 at 11:00am (PST). To participate by phone dial 1-800-837-1935 and reference conference id 2865529. Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services
The Oregon Student Assistance Commission has updated their loan application for 2006 - 2007. You may be eligible for a special state-funded loan repayment program under which your obligation to repay all or a portion of your loans will be repaid if you meet certain criteria. Contact OSAC for assistance.
The WWAMI Regional Center of Excellence for Bio-defence and Emerging Infectious Disease has put together an on-line web course intended for rural primary care health care providers on bioterrorism. The program is free and offers 6.5 CME hours. For more information contact Dana L. Ellis danae@u.washington.edu at the WWAMI (Idaho) Office for Clinic Medical Education.
Hermiston Population Swells Beyond 15,000 The 2005 population for Hermiston is estimated at 15,027, 327 more residents than in 2004. Hermiston Herald
The OHSU Center for Ethics in Health Care presents a regional Palliative Care Conference held in Eugene, Oregon on December 9, 2005. For more information contact Gabriel K. Andeen. OHSU Center for Ethics in Health Care
Money Is There to Aid Rural Internet, but Loans Are Hard to Get Rural Utilities Service, an arm of the Department of Agriculture, the program has been allocated nearly $3 billion but the agency has lent less than half that. The New York Times
CMS recently implemented a national nursing home staff time measurement (STM) study, the “Staff Time and Resource Intensity Verification (STRIVE) Project.” The STRIVE project represents the first nationwide time study for nursing homes in the United States to be conducted since 1997. CMS is holding this Special Open Door Forum to review the scope of this project on Tuesday, December 13, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. PST. To participate call 1-800-837-1935 and reference ID 2654075.
Study: Nursing May Prevent Moms' Diabetes The new study, from the Journal of the American Medical Association, involved 157,000 nurses who participated in two long-running health studies. While, the findings are far from conclusive, the researchers say breast-feeding may change mothers' metabolism in ways that make the possible connection plausible. Associated Press
A Rural Struggle To Keep The Family Fed Fifteen percent of the rural people surveyed are uncertain about getting enough food. Many of them live in households where at least one adult works. National Public Radio
DHS, Counties Working To Ensure Sufficient Flu-Vaccine Supplies The agencies are working to redistribute vaccine to local providers who have short supplies and to areas of the state that have experienced vaccine delays. Oregon Department of Human Services
New Ochoco Clinic Should Open In 2006 Lynn Martin, the executive director of Ochoco Health Systems, hopes to break ground before the end of the year on the new, $3.5 million Ochoco Community Clinic project. Central Oregonian
The Selling of Santa, Idaho The tiny hamlet of Santa, Idaho is like a lot of Northwest towns: it's on the brink of financial crisis. Oregon Public Broadcasting
State Medicaid Fact Sheets A new interactive tool from the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured provides the latest key data for each state’s Medicaid program and the population it serves. The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
Preliminary Births for 2004: Infant and Maternal Health A report from CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics summarizes selected 2004 preliminary maternal and infant health birth data for the United States. National Center for Health Statistics
USDA Rural Development's Rural Business Enterprise Grant program provides grant funds to support the development of small business enterprises in rural areas. If you are interested, please contact Jeff Deiss, 503-474-3367. Concept Papers are due January 13, 2006.
The next Rural Health Open Door Forum will be Tuesday, November 29, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. PST. To participate call 1-800-837-1935 and reference conference ID 2865528. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
The OHSU Center for Ethics in Health Care presents three conferences. A regional Palliative Care Conference held in Eugene, Oregon on December 9, 2005. The 2006 Kinsman Conference, in Bend, held April 20 - 21, 2006. And, 2006 Statewide Inpatient Palliative Care Conference, held July 16, 2006. For more information contact Gabriel K. Andeen. OHSU Center for Ethics in Health Care
The 2005 Oregon Legislature passed Senate Bill 31 which grants up to $250 in personal income tax credits, beginning with tax year 2005, to eligible EMTs who volunteer their services to rural Oregon communities. The Oregon Office of Rural Health will mail applications by December 19, 2005 to all EMTs licensed in the state of Oregon. More information is available here.
The Rural Health Clinic presentation by Troy Soenen, Director, Field Services, given at the Annual Rural Health Conference is available here.
Electronic Prescribing Standards Announced to Make Medicare's New Prescription Drug Benefit Easier and Safer HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt today announced adoption by regulation of a set of standards for the electronic prescription of Part D drugs, which will make the use of prescription drugs easier and safer for Medicare beneficiaries. Rural Assistance Center
CMS Announces Payment Update And Policy Changes For Medicare Physician Fee Schedule CMS expects to pay approximately $57.6 billion to 875,000 physicians and other health care professionals in 2006, according to a final rule that will update payment rates and revise payment policies under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Medicare Announces Payment Rates And Policy Changes For Hospital Outpatient Services In 2006 Acute care hospitals will receive a 3.7 percent inflation update in Medicare payment rates in 2006 for outpatient services under a final Outpatient Prospective Payment System rule that also continues to lower the coinsurance rates that patients in Medicare have to pay for outpatient services. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Clairmont Owner Thinks About Future Of Facility The real problem lies in the cost of patient care, she said. Many of the seniors who would be left without a place to live are getting some form of payments from Medicaid, and that money isn't sufficient to cover the high cost of assisted living or a nursing home. Herald and News
Chief Administrative Officer Promoted To DHS Deputy Director Saiki, 49, Salem, has been DHS' chief administrative officer since January 2003. He has worked in the agency for 19 years in a number of management positions. Oregon Department of Human Services
Economic Conditions & Insurance Coverage Between 2000 and 2004, the number of uninsured Americans increased by six million, primarily because of a decline in employer-sponsored insurance. All of the increase occurred among adults, for whom the drop in employer coverage was not offset by an increase in public coverage. Health Affairs
CMS Announces Redistribution Of Unused Residency Positions CMS has released a list of hospitals that applied for additional residency slots under Section 422 of the Medicare Modernization Act, and the number of direct and indirect graduate medical education slots awarded to the hospital effective July 1, 2005. AHAnews.com
Jacksonville Firefighters To Be Paid Staff The fire department will be fully staffed by paid firefighters for the first time in the town’s history beginning early next week, officials said. Mail Tribune
Special Open Door Forum: E-Prescribing and Electronic Health Records - Anti-Kickback and Physician Self-Referral Proposals This Forum will be held Wednesday, November 9, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. PST. To participate call 1-800-837-1935 and reference Conference ID 1567530. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Prineville Gets Family Physician Attracting primary care physicians into rural practice has been a challenge for many years, said Dr. Michael Knower, a family practice physician in Prineville. Family medicine doctors tend to make less money than specialists, and the price of medical school continues to increase.
The Bulletin
Medicare Takes Key Step Toward Voluntary Quality Reporting For Physicians In the first phase of the Physician Voluntary Reporting Program, beginning in January 2006, Medicare will enable physicians to voluntarily report information to CMS about the quality of care they provide to Medicare beneficiaries. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Special Open Door Forum Recovery Audit Contractors: 3 Year Demonstration Project
RESCHEDULE Notice CMS recently implemented a new demonstration project using Recovery Audit Contractors (RACs) as part of CMS’ efforts to ensure accurate payments. Under the conditions of this three-year demonstration project, the RACs will review Medicare claims to identify improper Medicare payments. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Governor Launches Comprehensive Health Care Website For Seniors And People With Disabilities "Network of Care” is the first outcome of Senate Bill 870, passed by the 2005 Oregon Legislature, to “modernize” Oregon Project Independence, which provides the services necessary to keep seniors in their own homes. Governor Ted Kulongoski's Office
Number Of Americans With Diabetes Continues To Increase Diabetes now affects nearly 21 million Americans – or 7 percent of the U.S. population – and more than 6 million of those people do not know they have diabetes. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
Bridging Oregon's Divide The tour is one of three Potter will take around the state as part of an effort to explore links and build better connections between his city and other areas of the state. La Grande Observer
HHS Unveils A Healthier You, A New Consumer-Oriented Book On Healthy Living, Based On The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans HHS will enter the nation's bookstores, libraries and Web sites in time for the holidays with a consumer-friendly interpretation of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the benchmark federal recommendations for healthy living. Department of Health & Human Services
The Oregon Department of Human Services, Office of Family Health, Women’s Health Program presents an opportunity to apply for project funds from the Federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Region X Office on Women’s Health. All proposals for fiscal year 2006 must be received by December 31, 2005.
Uninsured As Likely As Insured To Perceive Need For Care But Half As Likely To Get Care There is no difference between insured and uninsured people’s perception of the need to see a medical provider when they experience serious symptoms. However, among people who believed that they needed medical care, the uninsured were less than half as likely to see or talk to a doctor, indicating that lack of insurance is a major barrier to uninsured people getting needed medical care. Center for Studying Health System Change
Town Forum Targets Meth Issues A town hall forum about Wasco County’s methamphetamine problem will be held October 19, at 7:00 p.m. at The Dalles Wahtonka High School auditorium. The Dalles Chronicle
A Proposal For Financing Postmarketing Drug Safety Studies By Augmenting FDA User Fees User-fee augmentation is an achievable, incremental reform that would subsidize information that is now undersupplied in the U.S. health care system; spread the burden of funding postmarketing safety studies among pharmaceutical sponsors; and help restore public, scientific, and professional confidence in the FDA and its user-fee system. Health Affairs
City, County Contemplate Rural Fire District People living outside the city limits of Burns may have to decide if they want to form a rural fire district (RFD).Burns Times Herald
OMPRO Awarded Contract To Create Asthma Education Program OMPRO has signed a contract with the Oregon Department of Human Services, Health Services (DHS), to conduct a pilot program implementing a clinic-based process to improve the quality of care for people with asthma. OMPRO
Hospital Price Tag Climbs To $21.8 Million There was a $21.8 million sticker shock for the new hospital recently, but it didn't weaken the resolve to carry on. LaGrandeObserver.com
Medicare Provides Tools To Help Local Partners Prepare Beneficiaries For Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage The Prescription Drug Plan Finder, available at www.medicare.gov, is just one of the new resources CMS is now using to help train local partners, such as the State Health Insurance Assistance Programs, senior centers, faith-based organizations and others who will be assisting beneficiaries in learning more about and enrolling in drug plans later this year.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Biggest Wi - Fi Cloud Is in Rural Oregon While cities around the country are battling over plans to offer free or cheap Internet access, Hermiston is served by what is billed as the world's largest hotspot, a wireless cloud that stretches over 700 square miles. Associated Press for The New York Times
The next CMS Rural Health Open Door Forum is scheduled for Wednesday, October 26, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time. Conference leaders will be Terry Kay, Dr. Randy Farris and Dr. Richard Lawlor. To participate call 1-800-837-1935and reference conference ID 2865527. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
High Gas Prices Hit Meal-Delivery Programs Rural seniors often rely on meal-delivery programs for nourishment in the form of both food and human contact. But some service agencies are worried that high gas prices may force them to cut back. Oregon Public Broadcasting
Medical Staff Give Talks During Cancer Awareness Month Curry General Hospital's Breast Health Network presents a free series of educational talks and discussions marking National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.Curry Pilot
CMS Will Require Nursing Homes To Vaccinate Residents Against The Flu Nursing homes serving Medicare and Medicaid patients will have to provide immunizations against influenza and pneumococcal disease to all residents if they want to continue in the programs, according to a final rule published by CMS in the Federal Register. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Public Forum On Oregon Health Plan The Foundation for the Advancement of Community Health Care, a group of Oregon safety-net clinics, health care activists and interested citizens, will hold a public forum focused on the Oregon Health Plan and community health care to be held on November 9, 2005, at the Convention Center in Portland. Bend.com
Former HHS Secretary: States Must Lead Health Care Reform States can take a leadership role and make the difference in health care in America, former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson told state and local government officials at Governing’s annual Managing Performance conference. Governing.com
New Rural Hospital Facilities Improve Financial Stability, Health Care Recruitment and Quality Rural communities that build new Critical Access Hospitals see not only increased local usage of services, but also report enhanced clinical performance, quality performance efforts, and workforce recruitment.National Rural Health Association
Hospital Welcomes Physicians With Freed Reception Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital's three new physicians were welcomed at a September 17th reception held at the Freed Gallery. The News Guard.com
Medicare Reform: Part E The proposed Part E, Medicare Extra, outlined in this paper adds a comprehensive benefit option to Medicare, eliminating the need for beneficiaries to purchase a private drug plan and Medigap supplemental coverage. Health Affairs
Health-Care Access A Concern In Lincoln County, the non-profit organization, through its Oregon Health Action Campaign, has been trying to get the word out that many children who are uninsured are eligible for free health care insurance through the Oregon Health Plan. The News Guard.com
NCQA Report Shows Health Care Quality Improves Health care quality improved markedly in many key areas in 2004, but only about 21.5% of the industry now reports publicly on its performance, according to the annual State of Health Care Quality report. National Committee for Quality Assurance
October 3, 2005
Fire Board Garners Big SavingsThe Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue district didn’t change its car insurance to Geico, but directors still saved a bunch of money, more than $1.2 million. The Dalles Chronical
October 3, 2005
The CMS Quarterly Provider Update This Update is published at the beginning of each quarter to inform the public about regulations and major policies currently under development during this quarter; regulations and major policies completed or cancelled; and new or revised manual instructions. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
September 30, 2005
Wage Survey Shows Room For Improvement The annual wage survey for Northeast Oregon compiled and recently released by the Oregon Employment Department had some good and bad news, none of which should be too surprising.La Grande Observer
September 30, 2005
Rural Health Research Centers Research Projects in Rural Health for fiscal year 2006. Office of Rural Health Policy
September 30, 2005
New Drug Coverage In Oregon To Include Options For Additional Benefits And Saving Money People with Medicare in Oregon will have a range of choices for prescription drug coverage to suit their individual needs, including plans that help save money or offer more coverage than Medicare’s standard drug benefit. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
September 29, 2005
Study Investigates Savings From Oregon Health Plan Cuts Cutbacks in the Oregon Health Plan -- including the establishment of a $50 co-pay for Emergency Room visits -- led to a 14 percent drop in ER use, according to a new study. Oregon Public Broadcasting
September 29, 2005
Kulongoski Appoints Goldberg To Head DHS Gov. Ted Kulongoski on Wednesday appointed Dr. Bruce Goldberg to lead the state Department of Human Services. Goldberg, who must win Senate approval, has headed the state's Office of Health Policy and Research since 2003. He would replace interim director Bryan Johnston. Statesman Journal
September 28, 2005
Governor Appoints Chair Of Commission On Senior Services Governor Ted Kulongoski has appointed John C. Helm of Scappoose as Chair of the Governor's Commission on Senior Services. Oregon Department of Human Services
September 27, 2005
Oregon Combats High Suicide Rates Among Elderly Nationwide, the elderly have the highest suicide rate of any age group, and in Oregon, the elderly suicide rate is among the highest in the country. NPR.org (Requires Real Audio or Windows Media Player)
September 27, 2005
Rural Issues Get Closer Look Use of natural resources, transportation and human services were just three of many issues addressed at last week's meeting of the Governor's Office of Rural Policy Advisory Committee, held in Burns. Burns Times Herald
September 27, 2005
The Joint Center's Health Policy Institute Launches An Initiative To Address The Root Causes Of Health Disparities The initiative, Place Matters: Addressing the Root Causes of Health Disparities, will address the social and economic conditions that increase the incidence of diseases among minorities. Joint Center for Political & Economic Studies
September 26, 2005
Health Of Tomorrow's Elderly This special collection of papers focuses on a topic central to both health policy and public finance: the evolution of Medicare spending as the U.S. population over age sixty-five grows rapidly during the next quarter-century. Health Affairs
September 24, 2005
Panel Looks At Oregon Health Plan A national citizens panel trying to jump-start health care reform at the federal level came to Oregon Friday to gather ammunition. Oregonlive.com
September 23, 2005
County Health Department To Prioritize Flu Vaccinations Based on recommendations received from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, officials from the Oregon Department of Human Services have announced implementation of a prioritized approach to early season flu vaccination, reserving vaccine for those at high-risk at least until Oct. 24. newportnewstimes.com
September 23, 2005
Medicare Approves Plans To Offer Drug Coverage In Oregon In Oregon , 20 organizations will offer stand-alone prescription drug plans, including 4 with premiums of less than $20 a month. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
September 23, 2005
62% of Insured Americans Still Have Medical Debt A Commonwealth Fund report has found that millions of Americans are struggling with medical debt. Approximately 77 million adults have difficulty paying their medical bills, have recent or accrued medical debt, or both. Physician's Weekly
September 22, 2005
CDC Announces New Initiative To Help High School Coaches Recognize And Manage Concussions A new multimedia educational toolkit to protect teen athletes from a serious but often underestimated health threat - concussion. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
September 22, 2005
This Summer I Received A Letter From Social Security...The Social Security Administration is mailing letters to people on Medicare who may qualify for additional financial help when the Medicare drug benefit starts in January. KaiserNetwork.org
September 22, 2005
Hospital To Vote On Changing Memberships A lack of attendance and other reasons are behind a proposal that would change Pioneer Memorial Hospital from a nonprofit corporation with members to a nonprofit corporation without members. Central Oregonian
September 22, 2005
Pilot Rock Man Drives Home Prize In Mustang Raffle To Benefit Doernbecher Andy Skinner won the grand prize - a classic 1965 Mustang convertible - in the Kiwanis Doernbecher Children's Cancer Program's 14th Annual Classic Mustang Raffle. The winning ticket in this year's raffle, which raised $100,000 for young cancer patients, was drawn at the Oregon State Fair by Doernbecher patient Laurie Miller of Turner, Ore. Oregon Health & Science University
September 21, 2005
Hospitals Cancel LifeWise Contract Without a contract, St. Charles Medical Centers in Bend and Redmond will no longer be considered a "preferred provider" which means LifeWise members could eventually end up paying more for services at the local hospitals.BendBulletin.com
September 20, 2005
Seeking a Solution to Oregon's Health Care ProblemsOPB's review of the Oregon Health Forum's September 20th Conference and those who attended.Oregon Public Broadcasting
September 20, 2005
Federal Health Officials Seek Oregon Input Into Pandemic Flu Plan The Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking 100 Oregonians to comment on who should initially receive limited quantities of vaccine if a worldwide flu outbreak were to occur. Oregon Department of Human Services
September 19, 2005
CMS Delivers Electronic Health Record Software To Physician OfficesEvaluation version of Vista-Office expected to improve quality of care and stem costs.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
September 18, 2005
Flat-fee Medical Clinics Come to Rural America: Georgia Doctors Charge Patients $500 a Year for Unlimited Visits By offering affordable health care to the masses they say they are helping cut hospitalization rates and providing the neediest with at least a partial answer to their insurance woes. MSNBC.com
September 16, 2005
Health Care Providers Prepare For National Depression Screening Day Hospitals and other health care providers can registeronlineto participate inNational Depression Screening DayOct. 6, and receive a comprehensive kit of materials to screen the public for mood and anxiety disorders. AHANews.com
September 16, 2005
Joint Commission Issues Guide To Ready America's Communities For Natural Disasters And Terror Attacks JCAHO issued the step-by-step guide for small, rural and suburban communities to prepare for and respond to major local and regional emergencies. Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
September 16, 2005
CMS Delays Release Of VA Software Through 2006 Officials intend the free software to boost use of EMRs at physician offices, particularly small practices, of which less than 13% use EMRs. Modern Healthcare
September 15, 2005
HHS Buys Vaccine And Antivirals In Preparation For A Potential Influenza Pandemic These purchases build on the department’s plans to buy enough vaccine for 20 million people and enough antivirals for another 20 million people. Department of Health & Human Services
September 14, 2005
Free Publication: Women’s Health ‘Toolkit’ Promotes Physical Activity And Healthy Eating Healthy Women Build Healthy Communities Toolkit for Physical Activity and Healthy Eating, is a workbook that offers “building blocks” to help women plan, organize, and evaluate community events focused on physical activity and healthy eating.Health Resources & Services Administration
September 14, 2005
Survey Finds Steady Decline In Businesses Offering Health Benefits To Workers Since 2000 Premiums rise 9.2% in 2005, less than in 2004, but three times the increase in workers’ wages. One in five firms offer high-deductible health plan option; 2.4 million workers with insurance enrolled in consumer-driven plans. The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
September 14, 2005
High-Deductible Health Plans New employer survey data. This paper documents the availability, enrollment, premiums, and cost sharing for high-deductible health plans that are offered with a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) or are health savings account (HSA)-qualified plans. Health Affairs
September 13, 2005
Psychotherapy Works Over The Telephone Psychotherapy delivered over the telephone reduces symptoms of depression in patients with physical impairments due to multiple sclerosis, investigators report. Rural Assistance Center
September 13, 2005
Brownsville Doctor To Remain After All Hands has been the doctor at the Pioneer Clinic, one of two Samaritan-run Brownsville clinics, for seven years.Albany Democrat-Herald
September 12, 2005
Employee, Patient Satisfaction Focus Mountain View Hospital District's new administrator Jay Henry came on board Aug. 15, and is enthusiastic about his new position. Madras Pioneer Newspaper
September 9, 2005
Medicare Demonstration To Find Ways To Improve Quality Of Health Care CMS is soliciting proposals for the Medicare Health Care Quality Demonstration, a 5-year project to find ways to identify, develop, test, and disseminate major and multifaceted improvements to health care systems at the area or regional level. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
September 9, 2005
Special Open Door Forum: Nursing Home Pay for Performance Demonstration Recently CMS has begun to develop an initiative called Nursing Home Pay for Performance. Under this initiative, financial incentives would be provided to nursing homes that meet certain standards for providing high quality care. To participate dial 1-800-837-1935 and reference Conference ID 8520445 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
September 8, 2005
The next CMS Rural Health Open Door Forum is scheduled for Wednesday, September 28, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. PST. To participate call 1-800-837-1935and reference Conference ID 2865526. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
September 8, 2005
The Presentations from the Rural Health All Programs Meeting are online. Office of Rural Health Policy
September 7, 2005
Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital Offers More Than A View In the last several months, additions of both personnel and equipment have made it possible for North Lincoln Hospital to begin offering services and procedures that previously patients might have traveled to the Willamette Valley to access. Newport News-Times.com
September 7, 2005
Competition In Health Care: It Takes Systems To Pursue Quality And Efficiency Many stakeholders agree that the current model of U.S. health care competition is not working. Costs continue to rise at double-digit rates, and quality is far from optimal. One proposal for fixing health care markets is to eliminate provider networks and encourage informed, financially responsible consumers to choose the best provider for each condition. Health Affairs
September 7, 2005
Solutions Vary But Illustrates Issue's Complexity Late last week, Coos Bay Fire Chief Stan Gibson and North Bend Fire Chief Scott Graham were informed their cities would receive a total of about $300,000 in grant money from the U. S. Department of Homeland Security to enhance their agencies' operations. The Worldlink.com
September 6, 2005
Healthy Oregonians Asked To Wait For Flu Shots State public health officials are not expecting the majority of flu vaccine to be available until late October due to various supply issues, but some vaccine shipments are going out this week. Oregon Department of Human Services
September 2, 2005
Health Care Costs Survey This comprehensive survey from USA Today, the Kaiser Family Foundation, and the Harvard School of Public Health examines how Americans are being affected by health care costs. The survey includes information on the barriers health care costs pose to obtaining medical care and the alternative measures people take to lower their medical and prescription drug bills. The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
September 2, 2005
New Information On Hospital Care
Quality Now Available At www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov The consumer-oriented website will now report on steps that hospitals take to prevent surgical infections and will reflect up to four quarters of data from 2004. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
September 1, 2005
The Employment Department, Research Division is pleased to announce the new Business Information Center. Using this new tool, businesses can find economic, wage, demographic, and other helpful information, all at the local level. The tool is easily customized to meet the needs of individual business. Choose a county and pick "Health Care and Social Assistance" from their drop down menu on the second page. There is lots of interesting information in each county's profile. Oregon Labor Market Information System September 1, 2005
3 Rural Communities To Receive Help In Fighting Underage Drinking Benefiting from the three-year, $350,000-a-year grant will be Lake and Wallowa counties and the coastal town of Newport, selected because they are relatively isolated rural communities with effective community coalitions. Oregon Department of Human Services
August 31, 2005
Physician Oversight of Mid-Level Practitioners in Critical Access Hospitals CMS has proposed a change in rules regarding oversight of mid-levels in CAHs. CMS is "proposing to revise the regulation at Sec. 485.631(b)(iv) to defer to State law regarding the review of records for outpatients cared for by non-physician practitioners... if State law allows these practitioners to practice independently, we would not require physicians to review and sign medical records of outpatients cared for by non-physician practitioners." From the Federal Register: July 25, 2005, Volume 70, Number 141, page 42753
August 30, 2005
Income Stable, Poverty Rate Increases, Percentage of Americans Without Health Insurance Unchanged Real median household income remained unchanged between 2003 and 2004 at $44,389, according to a report released by the U.S. Census Bureau.See the report for Oregon. U.S. Census Bureau
August 30, 2005
Public Health Response TimeThe ability of local public health agencies to meet a preparedness standard set by the CDC to receive and respond to urgent case reports of communicable diseases 24/7.By David J. Dausey, Nicole Lurie, and Alexis Diamond. Health Affairs
August 29, 2005
Public Hearing, Meetings Set As Officials Prepare Health Plan Change State officials have scheduled a Sept. 8 public hearing and are conducting meetings with stakeholders as they prepare to ask for federal approval to implement legislatively authorized changes to the Oregon Health Plan. Oregon Department of Human Services
August 29, 2005
Medicare Drug Plans To Offer Premiums Of $20 Or Less Options will also include plans offering zero deductibles or deductibles lower than $250 annually, and plans that provide some coverage in addition to the "standard" Medicare drug benefit. Department of Health & Human Services
August 25, 2005
Tracking Poll Finds Seniors Now Split on Medicare Drug Benefit This tracking survey shows modest progress in seniors' knowledge about the Medicare drug benefit. Also, for the first time, the tracking poll shows seniors are as likely to say that they have a favorable impression of the drug benefit as an unfavorable one. The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
August 25, 2005
Studies Examine Factors Influencing Medical Students' Specialty Choices Lifestyle and income are becoming more important in the specialty choices of graduating medical students, according to studies in the September issue ofAcademic Medicine. AHANews.com
August 25, 2005
Phoenix Gets Grant To Buy Fire Truck The grant was awarded under the Assistance to Firefighters Grant from the Department of Homeland Security’s Office for Domestic Preparedness. Mail Tribune
August 24, 2005
OHSU President Announces Plans To Retire In 2006 OHSU President Peter O. Kohler, M.D., has announced plans to retire by the end of 2006. Kohler became OHSU president July 1, 1988. He is one of the nation's longest-serving academic health center presidents
August 24, 2005
Hospital Gets $40,000 DonationRichard and Mary Frasch have donated $40,000 toward the construction of the new hospital being built in Enterprise LaGrandeObserver.com
August 24, 2005
Vanishing Rural Schools Offer A Hard Lesson A study in New York told a tale: Rural communities with schools fare better than those without. Times Leader.com
August 23, 2005
Oregon Is Only State Not Putting On Weight According to a new report released Tuesday by a non-profit group in Washington, Oregon's obesity rate between 2002 and 2004 was 21-percent. Oregon Public Broadcasting
August 23, 2005
Improved 50 State Medicaid Benefits Database Includes 2004 Data A newly enhanced interactive database based on 50-state survey data provides easy access to information on health services provided by each state's Medicaid program. You can search the database by state or Medicaid benefit and compare benefit packages from 2003 and 2004. The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
August 23, 2005
Grant County’s Recovery Stalls Grant County recently emerged from the longest employment downturn ever recorded in Oregon. From 1997 through 2002, local residents endured six consecutive years of declining non-farm job counts. OLMIS
August 23, 2005
Regional Competition In Medicare What's in store for Medicare PPOs? By Steven D. Pizer, Roger Feldman, Austin B. Frakt. Health Affairs
August 22, 2005
Lincoln County Human Resources Department is recruiting a Medical Director for a new Federally Qualified Health Center in Lincoln County.
August 20, 2005
Public-Private Partnership Unveils Office Building, Dental Hygiene School The school will offer associate and bachelor degrees in dental hygiene. It will open next month with a full class of 27 students. LaGrandeObserver.com
August 19, 2005
Governor Praises Clinic For Milestones Serving Gorge Residents Clinics in The Dalles and Hood River that serve low-income Columbia Gorge residents on Friday were congratulated by Governor Ted Kulongoski for two anniversaries. Oregon Department of Human Services
August 18, 2005
HHS Awards $16.2 Million for Methamphetamine Abuse Treatment The Methamphetamine Expanded Treatment Program, in Grants Pass will get $500,000 per year for three years. Department of Health & Human Services
August 17, 2005
Report Examines Progress on Nursing Shortage The nonprofit group Oregon Center for Nursing has released a report outlining the state's progress in addressing the latest nursing shortage. Oregon Public Broadcasting
August 17, 2005
Special Open Door Forum: CMS Provider/Supplier Enrollment Applications An enrollment application is required to be completed by all health care providers/suppliers who wish to enroll in the Medicare program. The conference call will take place on Monday, August 29, 2005, 11:00 a.m. PST. To participate by phone dial 1-800-837-1935 and reference Conference ID 8401874. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
August 16, 2005
Governor Signs Bills To Curb Meth Production Measures that the Governor signed today will require that pseudoephedrine be available only by prescription and will provide additional resources for treatment and enforcement. Oregon Governor Office
August 16, 2005
Medicaid/SCHIP Status Report How states cope with fiscal crises. Health Affairs
August 16, 2005
Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Conference Call - Cost Reporting: The Basics This call will take place Wednesday, August 31, 2005 at 12:00 p.m. PST. Call, toll-free, 1-888-259-2603 and reference code number 107208. Office of Rural Health Policy
August 15, 2005
Better Data Needed On Community Health Centers: GAO The U.S. must collect more reliable data on the number and location of community health centers in order to allocate increasingly scarce and in-demand grants to the neediest areas, a Government Accountability Office report said. Modern Healthcare.com
August 15, 2005
Health Care Issues Left In Waiting Room Lawmakers adjourn without containing soaring costs or addressing the growing number of Oregonians without insurance. OregonLive.com
