Wonkblog: John Kitzhaber

Could Oregon have the first public option?

Health policy wonks should keep an eye on Oregon, where Gov. John Kitzhaber (D) has just signed legislation that could lay the foundation for a state-level public option.

The legislation is Senate Bill 1580. Right now, it focuses on delivery reform, changing the way that doctors who serve Oregon Medicaid patients get paid. It pushes them to establish new provider groups -- called “coordinated care organizations” -- to serve some of the state’s most most costly patients. The idea is that by focusing on prevention, reducing emergency room use and paying doctors for the quality of the care they provide, Oregon can curtail rising Medicaid costs.

Blog Contributors

Ezra Klein

Ezra Klein is the editor of Wonkblog and a columnist at the Washington Post, as well as a contributor to MSNBC and Bloomberg. His work focuses on domestic and economic policymaking, as well as the political system that’s constantly screwing it up. He really likes graphs, and is on Twitter, Google+ and Facebook. E-mail him here.

Neil Irwin

Neil Irwin is a Washington Post columnist and the economics editor of Wonkblog. Each weekday morning his Econ Agenda column reports and explains the latest trends in economics, finance, and the policies that shape both. He is the author of “The Alchemists: Three Central Bankers and a World on Fire.” Follow him on Twitter here. Email him here.

Sarah Kliff

Sarah Kliff covers health policy, focusing on Medicare, Medicaid and the health reform law. She tries to fit in some reproductive health and education policy coverage, too, alongside an occasional hockey reference. Her work has appeared in Newsweek, Politico, and the BBC. She is on Twitter and Facebook.

Brad Plumer

Brad Plumer is a reporter focusing on energy and environmental issues. He was previously an associate editor at The New Republic. Follow him on Twitter. Email him here.

Dylan Matthews

Dylan Matthews covers taxes, poverty, campaign finance, higher education, and all things data. He has also written for The New Republic, Salon, Slate, and The American Prospect. Follow him on Twitter here. Email him here.