Oregon Health Authority director resigns at gov’s request

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – The Oregon Health Authority director has resigned at the request of the governor after a communication plan became public detailing how the agency intended to damage the reputation of a Portland health care agency.,
 
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports (https://goo.gl/Wxt3Es ) Lynne Saxton insisted that she never implemented the bare-knuckled tactics advocated in the plan and publicly apologized.
 
Gov. Kate Brown said in a news release Tuesday that after discussion with Saxton, they agreed her resignation was in the best interest of the agency.
 
Saxton’s ouster was borne in the agency’s long, bitter legal dispute with FamilyCare Health, one of Oregon’s 16 coordinated care organizations. FamilyCare has insisted the agency’s ratemaking process is unfair.
 
Public records revealed a communications strategy intended to discredit FamilyCare, which came after other problems at the health authority.
 
Saxton’s last day at the agency will be Aug. 31.

—

Gov. Brown’s news release:

Governor Brown Announces the Resignation of the Director of the Oregon Health Authority

(Salem, OR) — Governor Kate Brown today announced the resignation of Oregon Health Authority Director Lynne Saxton. The resignation will be effective August 31 , 2017.

” Today , after discussion with Lynne Saxton, we have agreed that her resignation is in the best interests of the agency,” Governor Brown said. “Lynne has led the Oregon Health Authority through its most challenging times and helped me ensure that every Oregonian has access to the care they need. She is known as a fighter for Oregon’s values and I am proud of how she brought that level of commitment to the staff of OHA.”

Further announcements regarding of the leadership of OHA will be made in the coming weeks.