The Early Link Podcast – John Kitzhaber on Health Care Transformation

Join us Sunday, November 24th at 4:30 p.m. for The Early Link Podcast: Season 1, Episode 8, featuring host Rafael Otto. Listen live at 99.1 FM in the heart of Portland – or online anywhere at PRP.fm.

In this week’s episode, host Rafael Otto speaks with Dr. John Kitzhaber, a physician and previous governor of Oregon, about ways to improve our health systems and reframe the national healthcare debate.

Guests

Dr. John Kitzhaber – Dr. John Kitzhaber is well known in Oregon and across the country for his expertise on health care and health policy. He has practiced as an emergency physician, served for fourteen years in the Oregon legislature, and completed three terms as Governor of Oregon. Through his service, he authored the Oregon Health Plan and was the chief architect of the state’s Coordinated Care Organizations.

Background

The Oregon Health Plan (OHP) provides health care coverage for low-income Oregonians from all walks of life. This includes working families, children, pregnant women, single adults, seniors and more.

A Coordinated Care Organization (CCO) is a network of all types of health care providers who are working together in their local communities to serve people who receive health care coverage under the Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid). CCOs integrate physical, mental and dental care with the goal of better health, better care and lower costs. CCOs focus on prevention of illness and disease and improving care. This helps reduce unnecessary emergency room visits and gives people support to be healthy.

Recommended Reading

Reframing the 2020 Health Care Debate – by Dr. John Kitzhaber

Host:

Rafael Otto, Director of Communications, Children’s Institute

~ Thanks to Children’s Institute, working to ensure that every Oregon child has the best start in life ~