This office provides services and programs for seniors and people with physical disabilities. Its website includes information about: aging; health-related issues; receiving and providing caregiving services; obtaining legal, housing, food and financial help; and supporting and advocating for older Oregonians.

This team of eight advocates handles 15,000 calls and 4,000 complaints annually from Oregon consumers, primarily addressing complaints regarding non-Medicare issues, though the division does regulate and advocate for consumers using the Medicare supplement plans.

The division has a staff of 100 and an annual budget of $10 million. In addition to regulating health insurance rates in the small group and individual markets, the division: protects consumers by licensing insurance companies and agents, making sure insurers are financially sound; reviews policies for consumer protections; and investigates potential violations of insurance law by companies and agents.

The plan provides health care coverage to low-income Oregonians through programs administered by the Division of Medical Assistance Programs. More than 380,000 people each month receive health care coverage. The plan also provides help with Medicare premiums and deductible insurance.

The department administers state laws and rules governing a wide variety of activities affecting consumers and workers as well as business and economic growth in Oregon, including insurance.

The Department of Human Services (DHS) is Oregon’s principal agency for helping Oregonians achieve well-being and independence. Its key functions are to serve children, adults, families, seniors and people with disabilities.

The Oregon Health Authority is the organization at the forefront of lowering and containing costs, improving quality, and increasing access to health care in order to improve the lifelong health of Oregonians.

This office supports the work of the Oregon Health Authority and Oregon Health Policy Board to further health reform planning efforts and implementation in Oregon.

The public corporation is funded by federal grant money and focuses on commercial health insurance and Medicaid. It is governed by a Board of Directors that is appointed by the governor. The Individual and Employer Consumer Advisory Committee advises the board on behalf of consumers.

The Governor’s Commission on Senior Services is a state commission made up of two legislators (one each from the House and Senate) and volunteers from around the state appointed by the governor. The commission works to further the interests of Oregon’s seniors.

The Citizens Representative Office provides help with constituent issues, assistance in navigating the state’s different agencies, and a direct link to the governor for advocacy issues. The office has a special representative for health care.

The Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Medicare Part D) were implemented to subsidize the cost of prescription drugs for beneficiaries receiving Medicare Hospital Insurance (Part A) and/or Medicare Medical Insurance (Part B). It was enacted as part of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization act (MMA) of 2003 and went into effect January 2006. The MMA Hotline Team is composed of advocates who specialize in problem solving for the department’s Part D clientele.

Oregon State Public Interest Research Group (OSPIRG) advocates on behalf of consumers in Oregon, working to win concrete results for health, safety and financial security. The group was actively involved in the development and passage of Oregon’s 2009 landmark health reform law, which expands coverage, tackles rising costs and promotes quality care.

Oregon Health Decisions (OHD) is an independent, nonprofit, grassroots organization that gives people an opportunity to become involved and have a voice in health care policy. OHD also provides materials to assist people in making better-informed decisions regarding their individual health care needs and wishes.

AARP, formerly the American Association of Retired Persons, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with a membership that advocates for people ages 50 and older. Since 1958, AARP has lobbied for senior issues, including the passage of Medicare in 1965. AARP offers support from staffed offices in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Portland State University’s Institute on Aging, part of the School of Community Health in the College of Urban and Public Affairs, is a multidisciplinary research and educational organization. Established in 1969, the institute was one of the first centers in the United States to focus on the social, psychological and economic issues related to aging. Educational programs are offered at the baccalaureate, post-baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral levels. The Institute on Aging is actively engaged in community partnerships and offers opportunities for continuous intellectual enrichment and personal growth of older adults through the Senior Adult Learning Center (SALC).

The Community Health Advocates of Oregon (CHAO) is a nonprofit organization that expands access to a comprehensive system of high-quality health care for all people in Oregon, especially individuals who experience significant barriers to care. CHAO works closely with the Oregon Primary Care Association and its 26 community health center members to engage perspectives of a broad base of stakeholders supporting health care reform, including hospitals, managed care plans, safety net providers and the business community.

The Oregon Primary Care Association (OPCA) is a nonprofit membership organization, composed of community health centers (also known as Federally Qualified Health Centers, or FQHCs) and their supporters. OPCA provides technical assistance and training to members to help them provide the highest-quality care for patients. It's also a voice in Salem, Ore., and Washington, D.C., for accessible, high-quality primary care services for low-income and other vulnerable populations. OPCA advocates for adequate reimbursement for health centers.

The Oregon Rural Health Association is a nonprofit organization whose primary goal is to improve the health of rural Oregonians. The Oregon Rural Health Association is composed of individuals and organizations dedicated to providing leadership on rural health issues through advocacy, communication and education.

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government and influences public policy through education and advocacy. The league’s national chapter advocates for health care issues.

The Oregon Geriatric Education Center (OGEC) is dedicated to improving the care of older adults in Oregon through collaborative, interdisciplinary and continuing education and professional development. The OGEC is a consortium of key faculty and staff from the following institutions: Oregon Health and Science University Schools of Nursing and Medicine; Oregon State University Extension Service and College of Pharmacy; Portland State University Institute on Aging and School of Social Work.

Quality Improvement Organizations (QIOs) are private, mostly not-for-profit organizations, staffed by doctors and other health care professionals, who are trained to review medical care, to help beneficiaries with complaints about the quality of care and to implement improvements in the quality of care available throughout the spectrum of care. QIOs are required under Sections 1152-1154 of the Social Security Act.

The Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) were established under the Older Americans Act (OAA) Comprehensive Services Amendments in 1973 to respond to the needs of Americans 60 and older in every local community. The amendments added a new Title V, which authorized grants to local community agencies in every state. The AAAs provide a range of options that allow older adults to choose the home- and community-based services and living arrangements that suit them best. In Oregon, the agencies are organized by the the Oregon Association of Area Agencies on Aging and Disability, a Salem nonprofit group. There are 19 AAA offices across Oregon.

The long-term care ombudsman advocates for residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities. The office resolves complaints and educates seniors and long-term care providers about their rights and good care practices. The ombudsman also provides information to the public on nursing homes and other long-term care facilities and services, residents' rights, and legislative and policy issues. In 1978, an amendment to the federal Older Americans Act required every state to have an ombudsman program that addresses complaints and advocates for improvements in the long-term care system. The ombudsman program is administered by the Administration on Aging (AoA). In Oregon, the ombudsman's office is overseen by the long-term care advisory committee, whose members are appointed by the governor, legislative leadership and senior organizations.

The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program helps Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries avoid, detect and prevent health care fraud. The goal is to protect older people and preserve the integrity of the Medicare and Medicaid programs. The federal program was created in 1996 by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and amended in 2006 by Titles II and IV of the Older Americans Act.

The State Health Insurance Benefits Assistance Program (SHIBA) is part of a national program called SHIP — the State Health Insurance Assistance Program — that offers counseling and assistance to people with Medicare and to their families. Coordinators provide counseling on Medicare benefits, Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D), Social Security, Medicaid and veterans' benefits. SHIBA was created under section 4360 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990. This act authorized the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to make grants to states for health advisory services programs for people with Medicare. SHIBA works with 23 local partners that provide assistance in Oregon counties.

George C. Halvorson is chairman and CEO of Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and Kaiser Foundation Health Plan Inc., which is based in Oakland, Calif. Prior to Kaiser, Halvorson served as president and CEO of HealthPartners in Minneapolis. He also held several senior management positions with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.

Theron Park was named CEO of Providence Portland Medical Center in March 2011, after serving as CEO of Providence Milwaukee Hospital since 2008. Park received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Texas A&M University and a master’s degree in health care administration from Trinity University.

Joseph Robertson Jr. was appointed president in July 2006 after serving as dean of the Oregon Health and Science University School of Medicine. He also served as its vice president for medical affairs.

In 2008, George J. Brown was named president and CEO of Legacy Health System, which has facilities in Oregon and Washington state. Previously, he served as the chief operating officer of Washington-based MultiCare Health System.

George J. Brown was named president and CEO of Legacy Health System, which has facilities in Oregon and Washington state, in 2008. Previously, he served as the chief operating officer of Washington-based MultiCare Health System.

This Senate committee deals with health-related matters for residents of Oregon.

This House committee deals with health-related matters for residents of Oregon.