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The INDEPENDENT, April 4, 2012
Oregon’s Health CO-OP will be a consumer operated health plan
.
Have you ever thought,
“Wouldn’t it be great if I had a
say in what my health insur-
ance company looked like?”
Now, Oregonians have the op-
portunity to help shape a con-
sumer-based health CO-OP
designed specifically for their
needs and operated with mem-
ber control.
On March 23, 2012, the De-
partment of Health and Human
Services notified Oregon’s
Health CO-OP that it would be
awarded the necessary funding
to finance a new heath plan,
approximately $50 million in
loans over the next several
years. Unlike a “typical” health
insurer this new entity will be a
Consumer Oriented and Oper-
ated Plan. In 2014 when the
Oregon Health Insurance Ex-
change
opens,
Oregon’s
Health CO-OP will offer health
insurance that puts the mem-
ber first, and will be open to
any eligible Oregonian wishing
to join.
Oregon’s Health CO-OP (in-
corporated as Community Care
of Oregon) will be a not-for-
profit insurance entity, with a
member-majority operational
board.
The formational board in-
cludes Ed Blackburn, executive
director of Central City Con-
cern, a non-profit agency serv-
ing people experiencing home-
lessness, poverty or addiction;
Brian Rohter, co-founder of
New Seasons; and Cory
Streisinger, former head of the
Oregon Department of Con-
sumer and Business Services
and Oregon Insurance Com-
missioner. By 2016 this forma-
tional board will be replaced by
a member-elected operational
board and the CO-OP will be a
member-majority
governed
health insurer.
“This needs to be a uniquely
Oregonian health plan that
serves our communities and is
Studded tires can stay on until Apr. 10
Oregon Department of
Transportation (ODOT) has ex-
tended the studded tire season
through Monday, April 9.
Statewide weather forecasts
call for continued difficult driv-
ing conditions in snow zones
during the first week in April.
Motorists should have their
503-901-1705
studded tires removed from
their vehicles by 12:01 a.m. on
Tuesday, April 10. ODOT en-
courages drivers to not wait un-
til the deadline if they aren’t
driving in snowy conditions.
ODOT encourages drivers
to consider other types of trac-
tion tires or chains. A study
completed in 2000 concluded
studded tires cause at least
$40 million damage each year
on city streets, county roads
and state highways. Other
types of traction tires are avail-
able. These traction tires meet
Rubber Manufacturers Associ-
ation standards for use in se-
vere snow conditions and carry
a special symbol on the tire
sidewall showing a three-
peaked mountain and snow-
flake. Research shows these
tires provide better traction
than studded tires when used
on bare pavement.
State Farm ®
Providing Insurance and Financial Services
Home Office, Bloomington, Illinois 61710
Bunny Girt, Agent
1229 N. Adair
PO Box 543
Cornelius, OR 97113-0543
Bus 503-357-3131 Fax 503-357-9667
bunny.girt.b71g@statefarm.com
governed by real people who
use the services it offers,” says
Rohter.
“We want to offer Oregoni-
ans a new option – one that
puts the members in control,
and engages them in promot-
ing their own health and well-
being,” says Streisinger.
Oregon’s Health CO-OP
board has convened an Advi-
sory Committee that includes
individuals and leaders from
membership organizations rep-
resenting over 300,000 Orego-
nians – from small business to
labor, from philanthropic foun-
dations to patient advocacy
groups. The CO-OP will host a
series of community forums
where motivated individuals
will be encouraged to partici-
pate in the process of creating
this new membership organiza-
tion.
“Our hope is to enlist as
many interested and motivated
Oregonians as possible in the
creation process,” says Black-
burn. “Anyone interested in
learning more about it can go
to the website at www.OR
HealthCO-OP.org.”
“This is a landmark opportu-
nity for Oregonians,” says Su-
san King, executive director of
the Oregon Nurses Associa-
tion, who attended a recent
meeting of community advi-
sors. “The new CO-OP is to
health insurance, what credit
unions are to banks. It’s a
chance to take charge and help
shape your own future. I’m
looking forward to seeing broad
community involvement as the
CO-OP develops and grows.”
The CO-OP intends to oper-
ate statewide. Membership will
be open to all individuals and
small businesses in the Oregon
Health Insurance Exchange,
and eventually may attract
membership from large groups.
Oregon’s Health CO-OP also
hopes to serve former Medic-
aid recipients who lose their
coverage as their incomes or
circumstances change.
CareOregon assisted the
board in the loan application
submitted to the federal gov-
ernment in October 2011. Ac-
cording to David E. Ford, CEO
of CareOregon, “We know
there is consumer demand for
something new and innovative
that centers on greater con-
sumer direction, engagement
and transparency.”
The Affordable Care Act set
aside $3.3 billion in federal
loans as start-up money for
CO-OPs. Congress was re-
sponding to the public demand
for a more responsive and con-
sumer-centered
insurance
product. The new CO-OPs are
intended to launch in every
state with the opening of insur-
ance exchanges in 2014.
Free child safety seat event in Rainier
Columbia County Safe Kids
will be holding a child safety
seat check-up event on Thurs-
day, April 12, from 4:00 to 6:00
p.m. The free event will be held
in Rainier at the CCRider Tran-
sit Center, 207 W “B” Street. A
certified technician will check to
be sure your child has the right
seat and that it is installed cor-
rectly. They will also check for
recalled or expired seats.
Through a grant funded by
ACTS Oregon, Columbia
County Safe Kids can provide
low-cost child safety seats to
families in need.
Child safety seats and safe-
ty belts, when installed and
used properly, can prevent in-
juries and save lives. Young
children restrained in child
safety seats have an 80 per-
cent lower risk of fatal injury
than those who are unre-
strained.
The mission of Columbia
County Safe Kids is to reduce
Action Ads
INEXPENSIVE – EFFECTIVE
503-429-9410
unintentional childhood injuries
and deaths. For more informa-
tion, please contact the Com-
mission on Children and Fami-
lies at 503-397-7211. For infor-
mation about the clinic or the
Columbia County child safety
seat program, please contact
Natalie at 503-410-3169.
Columbia County
Domestic Abuse
Mental Health
800-294-5211
-----------------
Suicide Hotline
Hotline
1-800-
784-2433
or
1-800-273-
TALK(8255)
503-397-6161
or
866-397-6161
-----------------
Military Helpline
888-HLP-4-VET
(888-457-4838)