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17 - 0807 - Letter To CCOs - General

The director of the Oregon Health Authority writes a letter to CCOs apologizing for a draft communications plan from OHA staff that suggested sharing negative information about a CCO with the media. The director clarifies that this plan was never implemented and does not reflect how OHA conducts itself. The director reaffirms OHA's commitment to working collaboratively with all CCOs in an open and equitable manner. Going forward, OHA staff have been instructed to refrain from communications that exceed the proper role of a state agency and to receive training on attorney-client privilege.

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Elizabeth Hayes
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2K views

17 - 0807 - Letter To CCOs - General

The director of the Oregon Health Authority writes a letter to CCOs apologizing for a draft communications plan from OHA staff that suggested sharing negative information about a CCO with the media. The director clarifies that this plan was never implemented and does not reflect how OHA conducts itself. The director reaffirms OHA's commitment to working collaboratively with all CCOs in an open and equitable manner. Going forward, OHA staff have been instructed to refrain from communications that exceed the proper role of a state agency and to receive training on attorney-client privilege.

Uploaded by

Elizabeth Hayes
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR

Kate Brown, Governor

500 Summer St NE E20


Salem OR 97301
Voice: 503-947-2340
Fax: 503-947-2341
August 7, 2017 www.Oregon.Gov/OHA
www.health.oregon.gov

CCO

Dear CCO:

I am writing to express my sincere regret that a draft communications plan implied that
OHA thought sharing negative information about FamilyCare with media was an
acceptable strategy. Let me be clear: it is not an acceptable strategy for OHA or any
state agency. This draft plan developed by OHA staff in the heat of ongoing litigation
was not implemented or acted on in any way. No OHA staff sought to pitch negative
stories to media about FamilyCare. These ideas were shelved in their draft form because
they werent in keeping with how we conduct ourselves at OHA.

OHA values our coordinated care organization (CCO) partners. Oregon has become a
national model for health transformation through our collaboration with the CCOs.
Together we have improved the quality of care Oregon Health Plan members receive,
produced better health outcomes and lowered taxpayer costs. While OHA and
FamilyCare may continue to litigate our differences over rates, I am committed to making
sure OHA continues to work with all CCOs in an open and equitable way.

Going forward, I have instructed my staff to refrain from communications planning that
exceeds the boundaries of a state agencys responsibility to the public trust. I have also
asked the Attorney Generals Office to train our staff on DOJs application of attorney-
client privilege for state agencies. OHA staff erroneously believed that due to the ongoing
litigation, it was appropriate to seek advice from the Attorney General.

Again, my sincere apology. OHA did not and will not support this form of
communication.

Sincerely,

Lynne Saxton
Director

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