OAHC Achievements

Over the past year, OAHC has achieved the following major accomplishments that have moved the association forward toward its Mission and Vision:

Successfully reinstated the rural add-on to ensure Oregonians in rural areas have access to home care
Launched OAHC “Quarterly Calls,” a new member offering that provides valuable information on hot topics for members and serves as a way for members to communicate on issues of importance
Met with Congressman Walden, Congressman Schrader, Senator Wyden and staff for the other four members of congressional delegation to communicate issues important to OAHC members.
Established a grassroots plan with outreach teams to help engage members on legislative issues
Ensured the new 30 day payment legislation passed by Congress allowed for 60 day episodes of care
Secured Portland as one of only 12 cities to offer an extensive PDGM educational offering for members
Provided 58 education offerings throughout the year

National Issues

Communicated OAHC priorities to all national stakeholders to help ensure a united front on all key issues
Worked with DMAP to collect Medicare Cost Reports and to rebase Medicaid Home Health rates
Submitted formal comments to CMS to secure the removal to positively impact the new PDGM payment methodology
Coordinated OAHC’s participation in the third annual Council of States lobby effort in D.C. Both OAHC’s President and Chair of the Regulatory and Legislative Affairs Committee attended the conference and congressional meetings, along with OAHC’s Executive Director
Updated Congressional offices on OAHC member agencies / contact info in their districts
Communicated needed changes to the PDGM model to Congress, including education around concerns over the behavioral adjustment component setting the stage for congressional changes in 2019

State Issues

Successfully held off legislation requiring an onerous paid family leave program
Engaged with the Bureau of Labor and Industries to ensure the new Equal Pay legislation included a series of bona fide exceptions to give employers some flexibility
Educated legislators on the challenges of the pay equity legislation to push for immediate action on pay equity fixes once the Legislature convenes
Met with State Medicaid division on home health and hospice issues of payment, prior authorization, regulation, process, etc.

Provided 58 educational audio-conferences and webinars on key issues to home care
Partnered with Lane Powell on Equal Pay education
Conducted 48th annual conference with exhibitor expo for all home care industry providers in Newport, OR
Continued partnership with the Home Care Institute and Curaport to offer members a discount on educational offerings
Launched new OAHC Facebook page
Offered continuing online education as a member benefit through our online provider Rochester Community Technical College (RCTC)
Continued active outreach and collaboration with related health care associations in Oregon to enhance benefits and services to home care providers
Provided continuing education credits through California Board of Nursing for multiple educational offerings
Partnered with multiple State home care associations on key home care issues
Maintained membership in a multitude of national organizations: National Association for Home Care and Hospice, Council of State Home Care Association, and the American Society of Association Executives
Continued partnerships with Corridor and Community Health Accreditation Partner (CHAP)
Continued partnership with Fazzi & Assoc. in online Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS), Coding and Therapy training for members

Recruited and retained diverse membership representing a majority of all home health and various hospice and home care providers and affiliated businesses
Held strategic planning to ensure industry and organizational strength in home care in Oregon 
Developed new goals and strategies to improve education, advocacy and expanding partnerships
Expanded coordination with other state associations impacted by Home Care

Provided new quarterly legislative and regulatory update calls to the membership
Updates on numerous State and Federal legislative and regulatory changes 
Updated the new national news messaging on top home care issues via listserv 
Encouraged member use of OAHC online Legislative Action Center for advocacy messages to Congress
Provided members with a new version of dashboard reports to help understand how they compare to the industry

Executive Director attended multiple events for the Council of State Home Care Associations to continue the important communication on Home Health issues among state leaders
Participated in national efforts on behalf of OAHC members on advocacy issues through the National Association for Home Care and Hospice, Forum of States, and the Council of State Home Care Associations
Worked with multiple national organization stakeholders to enhance regulatory and legislative advocacy effort
Participated with a broad coalition of businesses facing enhanced efforts on employment issues