Ounce of Prevention Is Worth Pound of Health Care Cure

SALEM, Ore., May 2 -- The Oregon Senate Democrats issued the following news release:

The Oregon Senate voted to take a more proactive approach to improving statewide health results by requiring greater investment in preventive primary care.

Senate Bill 934 - which passed the Senate on a 29-0 vote today - requires insurance companies, coordinated care organizations and the public employee and Oregon educator benefit boards to invest at least 12 percent of premiums on primary care by 2023.

"We know that increased emphasis on primary care leads to healthier patients," said Sen. Elizabeth Steiner Hayward (D-Beaverton and NW Portland), who carried the bill. "Senate Bill 934 requires that more spending be directed towards preventive care, helping both the individual and the state save money on stressful and costly medical care down the road."

The bill also requires Medicaid-funded CCOs and commercial insurers that participate in a federal primary care program to offer similar payment methodologies to all state-recognized, Patient-Centered Primary Care Homes that serve covered patients.

The patient-centered model coordinates the full scope of physical and mental health care needs of the patient, taking a "whole person" approach. The adoption of these care homes is widespread, and plays a key role in transforming the country's - and Oregon's - health care system. These medical homes demonstrate the system of care to which the state has been looking to transition.

A 2016 Portland State University study evaluated the impacts of Oregon's PCPCH model and key findings include the following:

* Every additional $1 spent on primary care related to the medical home program yielded $13 saved in other services, such as specialty care, emergency department and inpatient care;

* Specialty care, emergency department and inpatient care visits decreased; and

* There were $240 million in savings to Oregon's health system in the first 3 years.

"Ultimately, this bill aims to keep Oregonians healthy and to cut costs all around," Steiner Hayward said. "Any dollar put towards primary care is a good investment."

Senate Bill 934 now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.