Drug Treatment ID'd as Priority in Oregon Health Plan October 30, 2001
News Summary
Drug-treatment services are expected to make the cut as Oregon health officials decide which benefits can be limited under the Oregon Health Plan; the state is trying to cover more people without increasing costs, the Associated Press reported Oct. 26."It comes down to an old issue," said Dr. John Santa, director of the Office for Oregon Health Policy and Research. "Is it better for everybody to have something, [or] for some to have a lot and others to have nothing?"
The state Health Services Commission had been directed to find ways to expand the Oregon Health Plan to cover more of the working poor. To do so, the commission must decide which services will remain in the budget.
So far, the commission has identified hospital care, doctor fees, laboratory tests, X-rays, emergency ambulance use, and mental health and addiction treatment as services that should survive any budget cuts.
The changes are expected to take effect in October 2002.
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