Advocates for health delivery system reform, focusing on policies to
improve the effectiveness of primary care for uninsured and vulnerable
populations.
Continued investment in the current system of health care – without
fundamental change – is simply not enough to reach our overarching
goal of creating a sustainable health care system. CHAO believes that
reform of the health care delivery system, beginning with primary care,
is a fundamental aspect of health care reform.
During the 2007 legislative session, CHAO worked with a broad base
of advocates to advance legislation to provide grant funding for safety
net providers to reform the delivery of primary care for low-income
and medically vulnerable populations. This proposal, coined the “Primary
Care Home” model of care, would allow safety net clinics to reinvigorate
primary care services that would result in improved patient health
and reduce costs to the overall health system. The essence of the Primary
Care Home model is a focus on empowering patients to manage and improve
their health, supporting preventive care and strong relationships with
a primary care provider team to keep people out of emergency rooms.
The Primary Care Home concept was recognized during the 2007 session
as a fundamental aspect of health care reform. Oregon’s broad
health care reform bill (SB 329) requires that all Oregonians should
have access to a Primary Care Home, and CHAO will continue to work
through the SB 329 health care reform planning process and the 2008
and 2009 legislative sessions to ensure a strong implementation plan
for developing Primary Care Homes in Oregon.
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310 SW 4th Ave / Suite 200 / Portland, OR 97204
T 503.228.8852 / F 503.228.9887 www.chao-oregon.org
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