March 30, 2021 | Healthcare Transformation in Oregon: What’s Happening Now?
Oregon policymakers are advancing bold proposals with potential to reshape healthcare as we know it. Join us for a lively discussion covering Oregon’s pioneering cost containment work, proposed limits to health care mergers, and the creation of a public option.
Moderator:
Jeremiah Rigsby, JD, Chief of Staff, CareOregon
Jeremiah Rigsby is the Chief of Staff at CareOregon. He previously served as a congressional aide to U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar from 2006-2009, and was an aide to U.S. Congressman Kurt Schrader from 2009-2011. During his time on the Hill, Jeremiah worked on a number of policy issues, but was focused on health care policy during the development and passage of the Affordable Care Act. He moved to Oregon in 2011 to attend Lewis and Clark Law School. After completing his law degree, Jeremiah joined CareOregon to help develop and advocate for Medicaid and Medicare policy.
Contact Jeremy at rigsbyj@careoregon.org.
Speakers:
Felisa Hagins, Political Director, SEIU 49
The Service Employees International Union is the largest union in America with over 2.1 million members. Felisa Hagins is the Political Director of SEIU 49 where she has worked for the last 14 years. It represents 14,000 private sector workers in health care, property services, laundry, and light manufacturing in Oregon and SW Washington. As the political director, Felisa focuses on the lobby and policy side as well as the electoral side of political activities. She spends most of her lobbying and policy hours focused on health care reform, commercial real estate and worker’s rights. Felisa believes strongly in health care reform and access to quality, affordable care for all Oregonians, and has benefited personally from Oregon’s forward thinking on health policy. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon where she studied history, Japanese, and English. The years she spent there instilled in her a passion for social justice that she has carried forward in her work today.
Contact Felisa at Felisah@seiu49.org.
Kevin Ewanchyna, MD, Co-Chair, Sustainable Health Care Cost Growth Target Implementation Committee; President, Oregon Medical Association; Chief Medical Officer, Samaritan Health
Dr. Ewanchyna was born in Saskatchewan, Canada. He is board certified in family medicine in both Canada and the United States, and he is a vocal advocate and supporter for primary care and public health. Dr. Ewanchyna is the chief medical officer for Samaritan Health Plans and InterCommunity Health Network Coordinated Care Organization, and he serves as the current President of the Oregon Medical Association. In addition to his role as Samaritan Health Plans’ CMO, Dr. Ewanchyna is active in seeing patients at Samaritan Urgent Care Centers, teaching medical students as an Assistant Clinical Professor in Family Medicine for Western University of Health Sciences, and as a teaching physician with Samaritan Health Services Family Medicine Residency program. Dr. Ewanchyna chairs the Best Practices Committee of the Oregon Health Leadership Council and is a regular participant on the Oregon Health Authority’s Quality and Health Outcomes Committee. He was appointed by the Governor’s office to serve on the Oregon Health Authority’s Common Credentialing Advisory Group and co-chaired this committee, and he was appointed to serve on the Implementation Committee of the Health Care Cost Growth Target (Senate Bill 889) as co-chair. Dr. Ewanchyna has also been a member of the State’s Health Equity Committee of the Racial Justice Council. He is married with two sons and one daughter, and enjoys reading, trail running, music theater, and spending time with his family.
Contact Dr. Ewanchyna at kewanchy@samhealth.org.
Jeremy Vandehey, JD, Director of Health Policy and Analytics, Oregon Health Authority
The Oregon Health Authority is responsible for developing and implementing the state’s vision for health reform. Jeremy Vandehey and his team work on policy analysis, health care cost and quality reporting, advancing evidence-based care and best practices, spreading the use of electronic health records, advancing payment reform, and purchasing health care for nearly 300,000 public employees.
Before joining OHA, Jeremy served as Health Policy Advisor to Governor Kate Brown. He previously led government relations for Kaiser Permanente’s Northwest Region and served as the legislative director for OHA during the design and implementation of Oregon’s coordinated care organizations.
Contact Jeremy at jeremy.vandehey@dhsoha.state.or.us.
Becky Hultberg, President and CEO of the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems
Becky Hultberg has served as President and CEO of the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems since December 2019. In this role she works closely with local and national policymakers, health care and business stakeholders, and local communities to improve health care access, quality and affordability.
Prior to her current role, Becky served as President and CEO of the Alaska State Hospital and Nursing Home Association. Other past roles include serving as Commissioner of the State of Alaska’s Department of Administration, Regional Director of Communications and Marketing for Providence Health and Services Alaska, and as Press Secretary in the Office of the Governor. Becky has served on the Alaska Retirement Management Board, the Alaska Health Care Commission, and the Board of Directors of Covenant House Alaska. She currently is a member of the American Hospital Association Board of Trustees.
Contact Becky at rhultberg@oahhs.org.
Presenting Sponsor:
Annual Sponsors:
To share your ideas or if you are interested in sponsoring future events, please contact Robin Moody at robin@oregonhealthforum.org.