Mission: To support the critical role of Oregon employers helping to obtain and pay for health care for their employees and dependents; and, support a high quality, cost efficient, accessible system for providing health care services to all Oregonians.

Goals: Identify current health policy issues; analyze their impact on the private sector’s ability to provide health insurance coverage to employees; discuss the implications and relevance to AOI members and the Oregon business community.

Association Health Plans

AOI Position:

AOI supports legislation that ensures association health plans remain as a viable option for employers, particularly small employ­ers, to purchase health insurance.

Oregon employers have long had the opportunity to purchase insurance through business or trade associations that meet state requirements for patient protection and mandated benefits. By purchasing through an association, smaller employers have an opportunity to pool as a large group and enjoy the ability to purchase products not available to them in the direct market.

Expanded Insurance Opportunities for Employees

AOI Position:

AOI supports expanding the current employer-based voluntary program partnering with government through programs like Family Health Insurance Assistance Program (FHIAP).  Historically AOI has supported FHIAP.

Over the years, because of low federal Medicaid and Medicare reimbursements, Oregon has not kept up payment to providers causing some to decline to see OHP patients.  The Family Health Insurance Assistance Program provides for more coverage of younger Oregonians which not only helps Oregon families, but reduces pressure to increase the Oregon Health Plan and force additional mandates.

Oregon Health Fund Board Recommendations

AOI Position:

Support employers’ ability to provide health coverage for employ­ees and work with recommendations from the Oregon Health Fund Board that help stabilize costs and improve access to care.

Health Insurance Commission

AOI Position:

AOI opposes legislation creating a commission to review health insurer proposed rate increases, as it would take a regulatory function performed by the Oregon Insurance Division (OID) and substitute a commission model with designated representatives lacking the expertise of the OID, and politicizing the rating process.

Mandated Insurance Benefits

AOI Position:

AOI urges caution and careful evaluation of cost/benefit analyses in the implementation of insurance mandates. Because mandates drive up the costs of insurance for all, a thorough analysis of the proposal by independent evaluators is critical. Absent such analysis, AOI believes that health insurance that is less prescriptive and more market driven is more appropriate for Oregon.

Federal SCHIP Program

AOI Position:

AOI supports optional alternatives to SCHIP delivery.

The state has between 60 -100,000 uninsured children qualifying for coverage under the federal SCHIP program. If expanded, the state should establish alternative models for care though the creation of school based clinics. This would better provide essential services for children while helping to avoid disruption of the employee/employer relationship due to transposition and scheduling issues.