OHCA Spring Summer 2017

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The Oregon Caregiver Spring/Summer 2017 22
PROFILE
U.S. Rep. Greg Walden represents
the people of Oregon's Second
Congressional District, which includes
20 counties in central, southern, and
eastern Oregon. Rep. Walden was
recently elected as the chairman of
the U.S. House Energy and Commerce
Committee, which has jurisdiction
over issues related to health, energy,
telecommunications, and internet
policymaking.
As the Chairman of the House
Energy and Commerce Committee
you find yourself right in the
middle of the conversation about
health care reform and the future
of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
What are your key objectives as
you begin your work?
From insurers fleeing the
individual market to the collapsing
CO-Ops, ever-increasing premiums
and deductibles, the Affordable Care
Act/ObamaCare law has proven to be
unsustainable and failed to deliver
on its promises to the American people.
Our job is essentially a rescue mission.
We’ve identified the failures and now we
are on the scene assessing the damage,
determining who needs relief and of
what kind. In doing so, our efforts are
centered on putting patients first, and
restoring their ability to make their own
health care choices—not those mandated
by the federal government.
It seems as if most of the political
debate about the Affordable Care
Act has focused on issues related
to expanded Medicaid coverage,
mandates and the rising cost of
insurance premiums for health care
services. What impact, if any, do you
think reforms will have on Medicaid-
funded long-term care services for
low-income elderly and disabled
Oregonians?
Medicaid is a critical safety net. It is
a lifeline, especially for those with the
lowest incomes and the most serious
medical needs. It is imperative we
strengthen the program so it can serve
those it is intended to serve—the most
vulnerable patients in our communities.
Under Obamacare, many states expanded
their Medicaid programs, which shifted
how these critical dollars are spent—and
on whom. We want to help these people
find a health care plan that better serves
their needs, while ensuring that the
Medicaid program is working to serve
those that need it most.
You represent one of the
largest congressional districts in
the country, in terms of geography.
Many of the communities in your
district are rural. Are there specific
rural health initiatives you are
working on?
Oregon is a perfect example
of how state flexibility leads to
creative delivery models. Take our
coordinated care organizations
(CCOs). These patient-centered
groups understand the value of
caring for the whole patient, whether
their needs are physical, behavioral,
oral, or other individual conditions.
As a former state lawmaker and
small business owner, I know that
what works for families in Portland
may not necessarily be what’s best for
ranchers in John Day. We also need
to work on tele-medicine that can
bring the world’s best care to some of
the country’s most remote places.
What policies or initiatives are you
most proud to have worked on?
I just introduced a bill that will
protect patients with pre-existing
conditions, a principle that has broad
support from both sides of the aisle.
This is one of the few examples of a good
policy within Obamacare. It’s the right
thing to do and it’s really important that
everyone has the access to the coverage
and care they need, regardless of how
healthy or sick they may be. This will
be something we’ll move forward as
part of our efforts to rebuild our health
care system. I’m also a strong supporter
of home and hospice care initiatives as
well as investing in finding cures to the
diseases we face.
Representative Greg Walden (R-Hood River)
POLICY MAKERS