Analyze the Oregon Health Plan- see directives below Essay

Analyze the Oregon Health Plan- see directives below - Essay Example ic and private-partnership for ensuring access to health care for all Oregonians covering Medicaid reforms, insurance for small businesses, and high risk medical insurance. During the late 1980s, millions of Americans did not qualify for public assistance or Medicaid, uninsured by their employers, and could not afford medical coverage (Department of Human Services, 2006, p. 1).Thus, â€Å"instead of seeking early preventive care, the uninsured sought emergency care when their illnesses became severe† (Department of Human Services, 2006, p. 1). The â€Å"free† emergency treatment that the uninsured receive, however, was not genuinely costless because costs are merely passed on thereby increasing the cost of insurance premiums of those who can afford the premiums (Department of Human Services, 2006, p. 1). In 1987, Oregon Governor Neil Goldschmidt created a workgroup of health care providers, businesses, labor, insurers, and lawmakers to address three fundamental questions on the Oregon Health Plan: who is covered, what is covered, and how it is financed (Department of Human Services, 2006, p. 1). The workgroup agreed that all citizens should have full access to basic levels of care and that society is responsible for caring poor people (Department of Human Services, 2006, p. 2). The workgroup also agreed on providing a basic health care package for low income groups as well as health insurance reforms to make it more available and affordable (Department of Human Services, 2006, p. 2). The Oregon Health Plan sought to lower costs by reducing cost pass-on, emphasizing early intervention and primary care, and not covering ineffective care (Department of Human Services, 2006, p. 3). From 1987 to 1993, several legislative reforms were undertaken until â€Å"Medicaid was expanded to inclu de Oregonians under 100% of Federal Poverty Level (FPL), providing a Basic health care benefit package via the Prioritized List† (Department of Human Services, 2006, pp. 3-5). Reforms were