SALEM, OR -- The State Senate has given the O.K. to continue the Central Oregon Health Council.  The public/private government entity oversees those on the Oregon Health Plan and the coordinated care orgnaizations that manage them.

The legislation creating this council passed four years ago and the latest bill, sponsored by Senator Tim Knopp (R-Bend), extends it until 2022. The bill was sponsored by Senator Tim Knopp. "This bill extended bill 204 passed in 2011 which adds four members to the Central Oregon Health Council and specifies that people will be reappointed and there is a single advisory council for all CCO's that are a part of it and it clarifies community health assessment and community health improvement."

The Central Oregon Health Council was created to connect patients with providers through coordinated care organizations and to ultimately improve health outcomes in the region.  The bill now goes to the House.