The Oregon Health Authority has finalized the 2019 capitation rates for coordinated care organizations (CCOs). These rates are the per-member-per-month amounts the state pays CCOs to coordinate health care for nearly 1 million Oregonians on the Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid). This increase represents a 4.35 percent change in the rate of growth for plan year 2019.
The adjustment will result in an average net payment of $449.69 per month for each member, which is $21.81 more than the average per-member-per month payment in 2018, an increase of 5.1 percent. A reduction in the Quality Pool payment for calendar year 2019 of at least 0.75 percent results in an overall rate of growth of 4.35 percent.
Increases in CCO costs have been driven by three primary factors: changes in membership due to the renewals process (1.7-2.1 percent impact), pharmacy costs (1.8-2.3 percent impact), and fluctuations in rural hospital costs.
The renewals process in 2017 led to changes in OHP enrollment and has meant a less healthy population of members, which affects the rates.
There are 12 rate categories for CCOs, which take into account the average cost for members in these specific categories. For example, the state pays CCOs more for members who are disabled than it does for children because members who are disabled generally have higher health care costs. The rates are also based on average provider rate costs in each region.
“Containing health care costs has gotten harder the deeper we dig into the system, but many of our CCOs are proving that it can be done,” said OHA Director Patrick Allen. “To incentivize cost containment, we are putting rewards in place for those who are bending the cost curve.”
The Central/Eastern region (Eastern Oregon CCO, PacificSource Central, PacificSource Gorge and Cascade CCO) successfully came in at a rate of growth below 3.4 percent for the first time since Affordable Care Act expansion in 2014. Three out of four CCOs in the region achieved an expenditure growth from 2016 to 2017 that was lower than 3.4 percent.
As part of Oregon’s Medicaid waiver commitment to incentivize cost containment and quality in the program, CCOs in this region received an upward adjustment. With this reward, the region still maintains the lowest percentage increase when compared against the other three regions.
As part of its “CCO 2.0” policy proposals, OHA is working to address the major cost drivers in the health care system, increase the share of CCO budgets tied to performance, and find areas of opportunity for improved efficiency. The recommended policies also offer changes to OHA’s rate-setting policies and procedures that could help reduce costs in the long term.
In its 2012-2017 Medicaid waiver, the state held spending growth to 3.4 percent and avoided $2.2 billion in Medicaid costs through the coordinated care system and other health system reforms. A recent independent evaluation of the first five years of Oregon’s Medicaid waiver found Oregon’s health reforms lowered per member costs compared to Washington’s Medicaid program.
A full breakdown of final amended 2019 CCO rates can be found on OHA’s website
The Lincoln City City Council voted to pass new language added to a sign ordinance Monday in a special session. Mayor Don Williams was the sole no vote, which made the passing of the motion non-unanimous and set for a second reading at the Oct. 8 regular City Council meeting.
At issue was the constitutionality of the sign ordinance and the City wanting to declare an emergency so the new language would “clarify content neutrality” and be effective immediately.
Lincoln City property owner Jim Hoover spoke at the special session and told the council he didn’t believe this qualified as an emergency.
Hoover said he thought declaring this issue an emergency was “a misrepresentation of the process …” He also said because the City went about trying to pass the ordinance with new language and declaring it an emergency, it circumvents Oregon Revised Statutes, which allow for the public to have 30 days to gather signatures and bring it to a vote.
Williams spoke at length against declaring an emergency, saying he didn’t believe it qualified. After speaking to many people over the past week, Williams said he shared concerns about the idea of declaring an emergency. Williams read from two documents that discussed what a city should and shouldn’t do pertaining to signs.
“I don’t see how any of this rises to the level of an emergency.” Williams said.
Lincoln City City Attorney Richard Appicello
City Attorney Richard Appicello said he took language from the International Municipal Lawyers Association and reworked existing Lincoln City ordinance language to make it more content neutral.
Appicello argued that it was an emergency, “…when you have problems with your ordinance that people are alleging are constitutional deficiencies.”
“The problem with our sign ordinance is it says the definition of a temporary political sign includes a discussion of the content and it says the content has to concern a candidate on this election or a measure on this election. That’s the problem,” Appicello said. “Because if you want to put up a sign in your yard that says I like beer or whatever it is you want to talk about, you’re discriminated against by that content-based language.”
Lincoln City Manager Ronald Chandler
City Manager Ronald Chandler told the Council he had been through many elections. He said he received requests from various candidates to enforce the sign ordinance.
“It’s always a difficult position for staff to be in because we don’t want to become a factor in the election,” he said. “As I became aware that there was a problem with our ordinances, I talked with [staff] and we found there was some validity to the concerns that were expressed on these ordinances. So I authorized Mr. Appicello to go forward and put this together.”
“I think we can make a pretty fair case that this constitutes what would be an emergency to put this on a fast track so it can be dealt with.”
Williams responded to Chandler with: “We have many more issues that rise to the level of an emergency in this city right now than this.”
“People can certainly hear that there’s no sign regulations in Lincoln City, let’s go nuts,” Appicello said. “I’m not kidding, that’s where the public health and the threat to the public safety is. That people are just going to think there are no rules, just do whatever you want. And that could be signs out there in the clear vision area and signs in the right-a-way and you know, cats and dogs living together, fire and brimstone, end-of-the-world type stuff.”
“I always quote Bill Murray whenever possible,” said Appicello to the laughter of the Council.
Lincoln City Mayor Don Williams laughs at Appicello’s Bill Murray reference
The ordinance was amended to remove the emergency declaration, and a second reading will take place at the next Council meeting Oct. 8, where it would take effect 30 days after its adoption.
Councilors Dick Anderson, Judy Casper, Riley Hoagland and Susan Wahlke voted yes to approve first reading. Williams voted no. The motion passed, 4-1.
At the end of the special session, Anderson said the Council had been challenged with another ethics complaint. The council passed a motion unanimously to release executive session recordings to lawyers and the Oregon Government Ethics Commission.
Taft sophomore Alex Del Valle (File photo by Lonnie French)
Junior Estib Hernandez and sophomores Jose Flores and Alex Del Valle scored goals, while senior goalkeeper William Brooks knocked away 10 shots Monday to lead the Taft High boys soccer team to a 3-1 league home victory over Yamhill-Carlton.
“We played a great game against a well-prepared Yamhill team,” Taft coach Ryan Ulicni said. “Credit to them for being very ready for our game today.”
Flores scored Taft’s first goal on a precision crossing pass from fellow sophomore William Calderon during a fast-paced first half.
Deploying an aggressive second-half attack, Taft scored again on a corner kick by defender Hernandez, one of 48 shots on goal for the Tigers, with several hitting the crossbar.
“The Yamhill goalkeeper did a lot of work stopping some fantastic breakaway shooting and some distance shots,” Ulicni said.
Del Valle tallied the final goal for Taft, which surrendered just one on a penalty kick.
“It was nice I was able to play some younger players and get them some game experience in preparation for the last half of the season,” Ulicni said. “We’re going to roll with this momentum right into the next game.”
Taft (6-2-2, 5-2-2) returns to the pitch Wednesday at Blanchet Catholic.
Taft senior Ana Ortiz (File photo by Lonnie French)
Taft High ran into a buzz saw known as Yamhill-Carlton at Voris Field on Monday, falling 3-0 to the State’s sixth-ranked girls soccer team, which climbed to fourth in the ratings by the end of the shutout victory while running its scoring advantage this season to 42-11.
“We were hoping they would have some difficulty playing on artificial turf and meet some resistance from our more confident defense,” Taft coach Joey Arce-Torres said. “Although they found three goals in the first half, we played with energy and focus. Our communication needs to improve and we needed a bit more pressure on the ball.”
Arce-Torres credited Tristan Bradley with a stellar match in goal for the Tigers, and senior Ana Ortiz, who ran the back line effectively all evening. He said Taft made some halftime adjustments to negate Yamhill-Carlton’s first-half dominance.
“I was thrilled with that accomplishment,” he said. “Our kids truly did not want to give up another goal. Ana never gave up and was a thorn to YC’s usual proficient offense.”
He said Sammy Halferty, Avery Nightingale, Sayge Ulrich and Chloe Peterson also contributed heavily in the effort.
“Our young team is improving with every match and I am conscious of the fact we have the toughest conference in the state,” he said. “I look forward to the next few seasons, for we are positioned to be very competitive over the next few years.
“As to this season, Lydia [Prins] and Ana have started for the past four seasons and all of us want to give them some big wins. I know we still have a few more in store.”
Taft returns to action Wednesday at Blanchet Catholic.
Lincoln City Youth League flag football players took to the turf Friday night at Voris Field as halftime entertainment in Taft High’s game against Amity.
Our goal is to inform the public in advance that the cell phone test message they will receive on Wednesday, Oct. 3, from the Federal government, not your local Lincoln Alerts program.
Who is Affected?
Mobile (cell phones) that are:
Turned on
Within range of an active cell phone tower
Whose wireless carrier participates in the Federal Wireless Emergency Alert program
Radio and television stations that receive the Federal Emergency Alert System (EAS) messages
What to Expect?
At 11:18 a.m. mobile (cell phone) devices will receive a text message that “should” state: “Presidential Alert – THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”
At 11:20 a.m. radio and television stations should receive an automated EAS message similar to the monthly test messages that regularly occur.
When will this occur?
Wednesday, Oct. 3, at 11:18 and 11:20 a.m.
What Else Should I Know or Do?
If you do not receive a message do not be alarmed – there is no action to take if you do not receive the message.
Tune in to your local radio station at 11:20 a.m. and listen to the national EAS test.
If you have not signed up for your LOCAL (Lincoln Alerts) community emergency notification system, consider doing so or update your information if needed.
Where do I get more information about this test and the IPAWS system?
Taft junior Eli DeMello placed fifth for the boys and junior Brooke Orendorff ninth for the girls Thursday in the Conquer the Hill Invitational cross country meet in Sheridan.
“The challenging long rolling hills course with a finish up a hill onto the track had athletes fighting to the end in 90-degree heat,” Taft coach Mandy Weiss said. “All our athletes competed well under the running conditions with smiles on their faces as we left to head home to the coastal air.”
Taft junior Lucas Hindman won the boys 3,000-meter junior varsity race, while freshman Joseph McCormick was 10th.
Sixth-graders Ryan Best placed third and Trenton Battle fifth for the boys middle-schoolers. Eighth-grader Mugen Evenson was ninth and sixth-grader Ryuma Evenson 10th.
Sixth-grader Julia Towers was fifth for the girls.
The Lincoln County School District hopes to make a splash Wednesday when it unveils its new Teaching and Learning Center during a community open house at the “old pool” site in Newport.
The District, which serves approximately 5,200 students from kindergarten through 12th grade with four public charter schools and 500 employees, will showcase the facility at 1212 NE Fogarty St., with a behind-the-scenes tour from 4-6 p.m.
New LCSD Superintendent Karen Gray will be in attendance at the meet-and-greet session and will give a special welcome to Hispanic families from 6-7 p.m. Contact Ana Gil for more information at [email protected].
Grand Princess is a Grand-class cruise ship owned by Princess Cruises
A U.S. Coast Guard aircrew medically evacuated an ill woman off of a cruise ship transiting 55 miles southwest of Newport on Saturday morning.
An aircrew aboard an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Coast Guard Air Facility Newport arrived on scene with the cruise ship Grand Princess at 8:40 a.m. and evacuated a 77-year-old female suffering symptoms related to a stroke before transferring her to a Life Flight aircrew in Newport.
Watchstanders at the Coast Guard 13th District Command Center in Seattle received a phone call from the navigator of the Grand Princess at 6:55 a.m. reporting the passengers medical issue. An aircrew from Air Facility Newport was immediately directed to launch to provide assistance.
The Life Flight aircrew transferred the patient to Legacy Emmanuel Hospital in Portland. The condition of the female is unknown at this time.
The cruise ship’s last port of call was Victoria, British Columbia. It was transiting south to San Francisco.
Taft’s Logan Gilleo runs against top-ranked Amity Friday night at Voris Field (Photo by Lon French)
Warriorsstart fast, roll to league win
Amity High proved there’s nothing phony about its No. 1 ranking in small-school Oregon football Friday, rolling to a 48-0 halftime lead before a running second-half mercy clock expired on a 48-7 Special District 1 West Conference victory over Taft at Voris Field.
The Warriors scored on a 74-yard run on the game’s first play to improve to 5-0 with its fifth straight dominating victory, while the Tigers fell to 1-4.
Taft wide receiver Fco Ramos scored Taft’s only touchdown on a short pass from fellow sophomore Antonio Saurez as the clock wound down on the game.
The Tigers return to action in another Class 3A SD1 West Division league game at 7 p.m. Friday at Clatskanie.
This post will be updated with Taft Coach Jake Tolan’s comments
Senior quarterback David Jin looks for an open receiver Friday night against Amity (Photo by Lon French)
First Quarter
Amity scored on a 74-yard run by senior running back West Streeter on the game’s first play and converted the two-point conversion for an 8-0 lead.
Taft punted the ball back to Amity after going nowhere on its first possession. Amity took possession on its 36, but was forced into a fourth down, where Streeter gained 13 yards to the Taft 30. Senior running back Brian Hatch broke up the middle for a first-and-goal at the 5, where he scored on the next play to make it 14-0 following a failed two-point conversion pass.
Taft took possession at its own 29 on the ensuing possession and converted a first down on a 10-yard pass from senior quarterback David Jin to sophomore wideout JJ French. French gained 19 yards on another reception from Jin inside of Amity territory.
Jin hit senior wide receiver Tyee Fisher to the Warriors’ 30 yard-line. Fisher made it back-to-back receptions to the 20, where French hauled in a pass from Jin for first-and-goal at the 3. After a run went nowhere and two passes fell incomplete, the Tigers went for the touchdown rather than attempt a field goal and turned over possession on another incompletion.
Streeter ran for 40 yards from his own 3 to move the ball to near midfield. Hatch then ran to the Taft 30, and again for a score from the 19 and a 22-0 lead after the two-point conversion pass culminated a 97-yard drive.
Taft failed to move the ball and punted to the Warriors, who fumbled the return and the Tigers took possession on Jin’s recovery at the Amity 29.
The first-quarter clock expired two plays later.
Taft prepares to take the field Friday against the No.1-ranked Class 3A team in the state (Photo by Justin Werner).
Second Quarter
Taft again surrendered possession after failing to convert on fourth down on the first play of the second period. Amity assumed possession at its own 20. Streeter then ran 58 yards for a score to make it 28-0 after the conversion attempt failed.
Amity recovered a Taft fumble on the ensuing kick at the Tigers’ 25, where the Tigers forced a fourth-and-long situation before Streeter managed to gain just enough for the first down at the 15. Junior running back Cody Dyche scored a couple of plays later to make it 35-0 after the point-after midway through the quarter.
Taft took possession following the kick at its own 34 with about seven minutes to play in the opening half. A reception by senior receiver Logan McLendon left Taft a yard short for fourth down before the Tigers gave the ball back to the Warriors at their own 43 with 6:34 left before intermission.
Streeter ran through the Taft interior into Tiger territory and Amity powered its way inside the red zone, before Streeter walked in for his third touchdown from the 10 and a 42-0 lead after a successful PAT.
An interception set Amity up deep in Taft territory moments later before the Warriors bullied their way to the 1 inside of two minutes. Dyche scored his second touchdown of the game from there to make it 48-0 just before half after the Warriors took a knee in a show of sportsmanship.
Halftime
(File photo by Lon French)
Third Quarter
Oregon’s 45-point “mercy” rule brought on a running clock for the remainder of the game.
Taft took possession of the second half kick behind backup sophomore quarterback Antonio Suarez, making his first varsity experience following an injury to Jin late in the second quarter.
The Tigers failed to move the ball but regained possession on a recovered fumble moments later. Taft again went three-and-out as the running clock breezed to the midway point of the quarter. Another fumble recovery by Taft gave the Tigers possession on the ensuing series.
The Tigers went nowhere from there and turned the ball over on downs near midfield. Amity took possession inside of three minutes as both teams underwent some personnel changes with the game out of hand.
Two running plays gave the Warriors a first down before the clock expired on a scoreless third quarter.
Taft lines up against Amity (Photo by Justin Werner)
Fourth Quarter
Taft held Amity on downs on the period’s first possession before French ran for 11 yards to his own 15 for a first down with 7:23 remaining. French caught a 13-yard pass from Saurez for another first down to the 26.
A roughing the passer call following a 17-yard reception by sophomore Fco Ramos moved the ball up field before the Tigers advanced the ball inside the Amity 30. Taft junior running back Logan Gilleo gained another first down on a pass from Saurez for a first down.
Ramos then caught a 12-yard pass from Saurez for first-and-goal inside the 5 with two minutes left. Saurez then hit Ramos in the end zone on the next play to make it 48-7 with 1:17 to play.
Amity recovered an onside kick and ran out the clock from there.
This post was updated after every quarter and periodically in between
The Lincoln County School District hopes to make a splash Wednesday when it unveils its new Teaching and Learning Center during a community open house at the “old pool” site in Newport.
