Oregon Senate OKs key health care bill


The Oregon Senate has approved a key bill in a package of changes to the state’s health care system.

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The Oregon Senate on Tuesday approved a key bill in a package of changes to the state’s health care system, despite last-ditch attempts by Republicans to alter or delay the legislation.

Senate Bill 1580 would set up “community care organizations” or CCOs — teams of doctors, nurses, home care workers, dentists, psychiatrists and other specialists from a single geographic area — to better coordinate the treatment of about 600,000 members of the Oregon Health Plan with a focus on reducing costs by cutting down on duplicated treatments and emergency care.

The Oregon Health Plan is the state’s Medicaid program, which provides taxpayer-funded health insurance to low-income people.

Read more in today’s Register-Guard.