Health Care Cost Growth Benchmark Implementation Committee
The Oregon Legislature through Senate Bill 889 (2019 Laws) has established the Health Care Cost Growth Benchmark (HCCGB) Program within the Oregon Health Authority.
The cost of health care in Oregon has grown and is projected to grow faster than both the state economy and Oregonians’ wages. A health care cost growth benchmark will serve as a target for the annual per capita rate of growth of total health care spending in the state. Cost increases of health insurance companies and health care providers will be compared to the growth target each year. The program will also evaluate and annually report on cost increases and drivers of health care costs.
The idea for a health care cost growth benchmark in Oregon came from Senate Bill 419 (2017) Task Force recommendations. Three other states - Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Delaware - have implemented or are developing a similar program.
The Oregon Health Authority, in collaboration with the Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS), and the Oregon Health Policy Board (OHPB) are charged with developing and implementing the program. A consumer and stakeholder-led Implementation Committee will be responsible for recommending steps to operationalize the health care cost growth benchmark and how to measure spending.
The HCCGB Implementation Committee will begin their work in November 2019 and will make recommendations to the Oregon Health Policy Board and the legislative assembly in 2020.
Key topics to be considered by the Committee are:
- Introduction to cost growth benchmarks
- Cost growth benchmark methodology
- Performance assessment
- Authority and governance of benchmark/performance
- Transparency and accountability
- Strategies to meet benchmark and technical assistance
- Data use strategy
- Quality, including health equity and disparities
Seeking HCCGB Implementation Committee Members
The OHPB is seeking members who can:
- Regularly attend committee meetings
- Contribute to policy-level discussions and decision making
- Spend approximately 1-2 additional hours each month to prepare prior to the meetings (i.e. review of meeting materials)
The composition of the Committee shall include individuals who can represent the perspectives of:
- Consumers
- Health Insurance brokers
- Health care systems or urban hospitals
- Rural Hospitals
- Employers who purchase insurance for their employees
- Health care professionals
- An expert in health care financing
- An expert in health economics
Direct travel expenses may be reimbursed. Appointments to the committee will be made by the Governor.
To Apply
To be considered for membership, please complete the Governor's executive appointment interest form and follow the instructions.
Applications are due no later than September 7, 2019.
For further questions, please contact Jeff Scroggin at 541-999-6983 or jeffrey.scroggin@dhsoha.state.or.us.