This is just in from the Oregon Health Authority:

Please join the Oregon Health Authority for a community meeting about coming changes to the Oregon Health Plan. Under bipartisan legislation passed earlier this year, state lawmakers set a vision for local Coordinated Care Organizations with a goal of better health, better care and lower costs.

This vision was driven by the fact our current health care system is unsustainable. Costs are increasing, while the payment and organizational systems too often get in the way of better health.

Under the legislation, HB 3650, local Coordinated Care Organizations (CCOs) would be responsible for administering the delivery of physical, mental, addictions, oral and other health care to the more than 600,000 child and adult Oregonians served by the Oregon Health Plan. These organizations would be given flexibility and incentives for care that keeps people healthier, including health equity, preventive services and team-based care for chronic illnesses. A final proposal for such organizations will be delivered to the February 2012 Legislature by the Oregon Health Policy Board. Pending approval, the first CCO would launch in 2012. Currently, four work groups made up of 133 people from around the state are meeting monthly to help inform the plan for CCOs.

For more information go to www.health.oregon.gov. You can also read more about the vision of CCOs in a story recently published by the Oregonian.

Get involved!
The Oregon Health Policy Board and Oregon Health Authority invite you to come learn more about CCOs and local innovations near you that help point the way. Please bring your ideas about how CCOs could work best in your community. Your input will be given to the Oregon Health Policy Board members to be used as they develop the final proposal for CCOs.

Below is the calendar of meetings. If you have questions or need special accommodations for assistive hearing devices, sign language interpreters or large-print materials, please contact Ari Ettinger at the Oregon Health Authority at ari.a.ettinger@state.or.us or call 503-947-2340 or 877-398-9238 at least 48 hours before the meeting.

Roseburg: Monday, Sept. 26, 6-8 p.m.
Umpqua Community College, Campus Center Building Dining Room
1140 Umpqua College Road

Medford: Tuesday, Sept. 27, 6-8 p.m.
Santo Community Center
701 N. Columbus Ave.

Pendleton: Monday, Oct. 3, 6-8 p.m.
Pendleton Arts Center
214 N. Main Street
Pendleton, OR 97801

Florence: Wednesday, Oct. 5, 6-8 p.m.
The Florence Events Center
715 Quince Street
Florence, OR 97439

Bend: Thursday, Oct. 6, 6-8 p.m.
Location coming soon.

Portland: Monday, Oct. 10, 6-8 p.m.
University Place Hotel & Conference Center
310 Lincoln Street
Portland, OR 97201

Eugene: Wednesday, Oct. 12, 6-8 p.m.
Location coming soon.

Astoria: Thursday, Oct. 13, 6-8 p.m.
Judge Guy Boyington Building
857 Commercial Street
Astoria, Oregon 97103

If you are unable to attend a community meeting, you can still provide your feedback at www.health.oregon.gov.