OAHC Achievements

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

Coordinated the first OAHC day at the state capitol in a number of years encouraging members to weigh in on important issues
Successfully opposed inclusion of the Home Health Grouping Model as part of the 2018 Final Payment Rule
Support of Congressman Walden: Walden helped tremendously in his new role as Chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee which has a huge role in home health issues. Congressman Walden contacted the Director of CMS to express concerns over the HHGM proposal.
Met with all seven Oregon Congressional representatives to articulate OAHC priorities and seek assistance on legislation
Provided 52 different education offerings throughout the year
Provided an extensive guide to CoP implementation

National Issues

Communicated OAHC priorities to all national stakeholders to help ensure a united front on all key issues
Submitted formal comments to CMS to secure the removal of HHGM and member communications with Congress to oppose the issue
Coordinated OAHC’s participation in the second annual Conference of States lobby effort in D.C. Both OAHC’s President and Chair of the Regulatory and Legislative Affairs Committee attended conference and congressional meetings, along with OAHC’s Executive Director
Updated Congressional offices on OAHC member agencies / contact info in their districts
Visited Congressional offices during the time when CMS was accepting comments on HHGM, helping to activate congressional offices

State Issues

Lobbied extensively on State issues affecting all home care providers throughout 2017 State Legislative session and in subsequent legislative days
Successfully limited flexible scheduling to ensure it did not impact any health care providers
Limited impact of a number of employment bills and raised issues of concern for OAHC members
Met with State Medicaid division on home health and hospice issues of payment, regulation, process, etc. 
Met with the Public Health Division to discuss implementation of new COP guidelines
Continued advocacy with State surveyors of best practices for all home care provider surveys in accordance with State and Federal regulations

Provided 52 educational audio-conferences and webinars on key issues to home care
Conducted two-day Intermediate ICD-10 training workshop in Salem, Oregon
Partnered with Kornetti & Krafft Health Care Solutions on Conditions of Participation webinar
Conducted 47th annual conference with exhibitor expo for all home care industry providers in Redmond, OR
Partnered with the Home Care Institute and Curaport to offer members a discount on educational offerings
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

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
Coordinated with the Oregon Medical Association on a variety of issues including Face to Face and to continue discussions about Oregon entering the compact to allow physicians to order home health across state lines