Just a couple of years ago, the health care budget situation in Oregon was bleak. Oregon was facing a $2 billion deficit in its Medicaid program. The Obama administration cut a deal with Oregon to bail them out, but Oregon had to keep its Medicaid spending growth rate 2 percent lower than the rest of the country.
Since then, Oregon has made great strides in cutting costs while expanding Medicaid programs. One might think of Oregon as a testing ground for the Affordable Care Act and health care reform in general.
Janet Meyer is the CEO of Health Share Oregon, a coordinated care organization in Portland. As she sees it, Oregon is positioned to be a leader in implementing the ACA.