Oregon Health and Science University Issues Statement on ACA Ruling By Texas Federal Judge

PORTLAND, Oregon, Dec. 21 -- Oregon Health and Science University issued the following news release:

The decision by a Texas federal judge to repeal the entire Affordable Care Act threatens the health and well-being of tens of thousands of Oregonians, especially those who live in rural areas, and millions around the country who rely on the ACA for quality, affordable health care coverage.

OHSU joins Oregon's congressional delegation, the Governor's Office, the American Hospital Association, the Association of American Medical Colleges, and hospitals and health systems nationwide in advocating for quality, affordable health care coverage for all.

In response to the ruling, OHSU President Danny Jacobs, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.S., issued the following statement:

"As a physician and as a health care leader, I can say, unequivocally, that the ACA, Oregon's Coordinated Care Organizations and the Medicaid expansion are improving the health and well-being of Oregonians by giving them the tools they need to seek the right care at the right time at the right place. These are our responsibilities.

Although the Texas decision has no immediate impact and the ruling will be appealed to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, I want to assure the many communities we serve that as the state's academic health center with a public mission to educate health professionals, treat the most complex health needs in the region, make discoveries that save lives and train leaders to address the societal issues that impede health, we remain committed to working with community partners and others in developing health care policy and care delivery solutions that put the patient first to improve access to high-quality health care for all, especially Oregonians.

To that end, we believe the following eight principles, first adopted by OHSU in 2008 in anticipation of health care reform legislation, remain essential to developing federal health care policy:

* Universal access to a defined set of health care service for all children and adults, not exclusively linked to employment

* A defined set of health care services, including complex care (tertiary and quaternary), that is not tied to economic status

* A geographically diverse (urban and rural) health care workforce that mirrors in capacity and diversity the population it serves

* A focus on preventive health care to improve quality and reduce costs, with rewards for healthy lifestyle

* Full and equitable participation of all health care providers and systems

* Compassionate evaluation of end-of-life-care and delivery models that support end-of-life care decision making and option

* Quality health care is linked to outcomes transparency, rewarding and adopting innovations and discoveries

* Effective deployment of information technology, including portable electronic health records"