Summer 2012 - Oregon Chapter of The American Massage Therapy ...

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By Cindy Robert AMTA-OR Lobbyist AMTA Oregon News ~ 4 #1 — FORWARD!!! Governor making more strides in health care transformation Licensed Massage Therapist included in changes The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has given preliminary approval of a five-year, $1.9 billion demonstration of a Federal-State partnership to transform the way that care is delivered in Oregon's Medicaid program. The initial investment of $620 million in the second year of the State’s current biennium will allow Oregon’s new coordinated care organizations to better deliver higher-quality care for Medicaid patients while reducing preventable errors. Oregon estimates that this will achieve $11 billion in savings over the next decade. The deal brings $620 million this year, another $620 million next year and smaller totals for the last three years to help underwrite the cost of transitioning to the new system. Kitzhaber and lawmakers counted on that federal money when they approved the 2011-13 budget. In 2012, state legislators passed a plan to improve Medicaid, but needed federal money to make it happen. The transformation centers around the creation of what are called Coordinated Care Organizations (CCO's), which are teams of health care workers from specific geographic areas. Instead of competing against each other, doctors, nurses and other health care providers will team up to work together. Eventually, this model could be extended beyond the Medicaid population. Alternative providers, such as chiropractors, acupuncturists, naturopathic & optometric physicians, nurses and massage therapists, worked together to assure that these networks included all types of providers and included requirements for provider reimbursement, network adequacy and appeals in order to meet the needs of Oregonians in the Oregon Health Plan. With the goal of comprehensive, preventive care alternative providers worked together to assure the right "nondiscrimination" language was included in the next phase of Oregon's health care transformation. For the 600,000 depending on Medicaid, there will not be big changes right away. There will be a transition period, and then the first Coordinated Care Organizations are expected to be up and running by the end of summer. Please let AMTA Oregon know what you are hearing about CCOs and your inclusion in them! #2 — BALLOT MEASURES • There are several ballot measures being circulated for signatures to garner a place on the November election in Oregon. • Preventing state and local governments from implementing a real estate transfer fee/tax. • Setting up state licensed stores for the sale of medical marijuana. • Legalization of marijuana. (Continued on next page)
AMTA Oregon News ~ 5 Ballot Measures… (Continued) • Turning the old greyhound track in Wood village into a casino. • Eliminating estate taxes. • Establishing an independent redistricting commission. • Requiring initiative with texts of less than 100 words to be printed in full on ballot. • Making every signature count for initiative petition gathering requirements. • Providing every resident and business owner the right to use force to defend against an intruder. • Our Oregon (grassroots democrat organization led by unions) is circulating petitions for signatures that will end the corporate tax kicker. GET INVOLVED in the AMTA Chapter “...to develop and advance the art, science and practice of massage therapy…” Call or email an AMTA-OR Board Member TODAY! “Save the Dates” for Board of Directors Meetings: June 23, 2012 – Luncheon and meeting. Noon to 1:00 p.m. at University of Western States, 2900 NE 132nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97230-3099. It will be held in the conference room in the new Anatomy building on the northwest corner of the campus. There will be no AMTA-OR class. August 12, 2012 – Meeting to be held at Hood River Library, luncheon following meeting, class TBA. December 1, 2012 – To be announced. Treasurer’s Report Financial Report as of May 2012 Submitted by Brandi Walton, LMT #3218, AMTA-OR Treasurer Pacific Continental Bank Checking: $23,782.36 Pacific Continental Bank Savings: $25,011.06 Invesco Investments: $17,538.28 Members — Place a Classified Ad Advertise your massage table or other used massage-related items in the AMTA Oregon News. (Does not include ads for workshops, or product/service related ads. See website for those rates.) Send your check made payable to AMTA-OR to: PO Box 2142, Lake Oswego, OR 97035-0645 Send your ad text via email to: bleetchlmt@comcast.net $5 for 15 words or less ($10 for nonmembers) Next deadline is August 1, 2012 for the September issue Please keep your info up-to-date! If your mailing address, phone number, or email address has changed since you last renewed your membership in AMTA, please contact AMTA National and provide them with an update so you continue to be included in communications regarding Oregon activities, or to receive your next newsletter. — Thank you! ~ Classifieds ~ For Sale: Portable massage table, built by experienced woodworker. Sturdy, idea for in-office use. $100. Send email to beckyleetch@comcast.net or call 503/307-7812. For Sale: Portable wooden massage chair by Oakworks. Includes carrying case. Picture available upon request. $50. Send email to beckyleetch@comcast.net or call 503/307-7812.
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Summer 2012 - Oregon Chapter of The American Massage Therapy ...

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