More about the PHA
The diagnosis
Our health care system is ill, suffering from rising costs and ever-increasing numbers of uninsured patients. This epidemic is nationwide, and is even more pronounced here in Central Oregon.
Other symptoms that support our diagnosis:
- We know our community members do not always receive the care they need to improve their health in a positive and cost-effective way.
- We know people are having a hard time paying their medical bills.
The bottom line is that we believe the current system is failing fast. Based on current conditions, our ability to provide needed care for the community into the future is in jeopardy. We need a cure.
The prescription
We believe that the most effective treatment for the ills of the health care system takes the form of members of the medical community coming together to co-create meaningful health care reform for our region. The Physician Hospital Alignment for Central Oregon is made up of more than 475 local physicians and providers from our medical community aligning around three core goals:
- Enhancing the patient care experience
- Reducing or controlling health care costs
- Improving the health of the community as a whole
We are currently in discussions with additional physicians, health plans and national leaders to determine how, by working together, we can make our health care system more efficient and effective for our patients.
Engaging the participation of community organizations and individuals in alignment with our common goals is an important part of this process. Work groups have been formed to start determining new ways for care to be delivered, with the goal of achieving better health at lower costs. Our initial work is focused on:
- IT connectivity
- Quality and outcome metrics
- Enhancing primary care capacity
The prognosis
Joining together to co-create a healthy future for our region allows us to pool our individual expertise, resources and energy in a way that allows for greater strength and ensures not only a revitalized health system, but one that thrives.