OHCA Spring Summer 2017

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Spring/Summer 2017 The Oregon Caregiver 23
PROFILE
You worked on Medicaid reforms,
rural health and long term care policy
initiatives when you served in the
state legislature, both when you
were in the House and in the State
Senate. How does this background
and experience inform your work as
the Chair of one of the most powerful
committees in the U.S. House of
Representatives?
When I was in the legislature, we
worked across the aisle to solve problems
for the people of our state. It’s the Oregon
way. And we got results. We worked to
refocus the state’s limited resources on
those most in need and we prioritized
those needs to maximize health outcomes
for as many people as possible. I worked
on insurance reform and helped find
affordable options for those with pre-
existing conditions. As we move forward
on building even better health care for
all Americans, I plan to take the same
approach: collecting input from all and
having a thoughtful, transparent process.
Seldom in life do you get a second
opportunity to reshape, reform and
improve policy that directly affects people
in life-and-death situations. We have to
get this done correctly, and soon. 
“ ”“It is imperative we strengthen the
program [Medicaid] so it can serve
those it is intended to serve—the most
vulnerable patients in our communities.”
— Representative Greg Walden