High stakes, power struggles as Oregon Legislature takes up Kitzhaber’s health reforms

Gov. John Kitzhaber joked with lawmakers on Wednesday, the first day of the 2012 Legislature. The next stage of his health care reforms may be decided over the next few weeks. Photo by Benjamin Brink/The Oregonian

Writing in The Oregonian, Nick Budnick reports:

The battle to reshape Oregon’s health care system is heating up in the Legislature, where the Senate is scheduled to pick up Friday where lawmakers left off last session. The changes they adopt could affect your doctor’s office sooner than you think.

Rather than wait for federal health reforms to kick in, Gov. John Kitzhaber last year spearheaded a law to revamp the state’s Medicaid program further and faster. The Legislature passed initial changes, and this month will consider more details to go into effect in July. This next round must be approved to qualify for as much as $2.5 billion in federal reform funds.

But politics, including a battle between doctors and hospitals over the rules affecting reform, as well as Republicans’ demand for curbs on medical malpractice lawsuits, could complicate what was scripted as a month-long drama-free session.

Read the whole story here.