About

Major insurers in Oregon have been pulling back from selling health coverage to individuals, households and small businesses—some in response to years of losses. Meanwhile, consumers’ premiums keep going up: 22% hikes on average in the individual market this year alone, causing people to drop coverage that they may well need later.

So what’s happening, and what should state leaders do right now to help in the short term?

Hear from two longtime CEOs and an Oregon nonprofit helping people access health care they can’t otherwise afford. Stay tuned for additional speaker announcements. The conversation is presented in partnership with The Foundation for Medical Excellence.

Don Antonucci – President & CEO, Providence Health Plan

Don Antonucci has more than 30 years of experience across health plans and healthcare organizations, making him well-versed in the U.S. payer landscape. His background spans member experience, operations, network strategy, care delivery and membership growth across all lines of business. He joined Providence Health Plan in 2021.

Tracy Carver – President & CEO, Project Access Now

Tracy brings over 20 years of experience developing and leading community health initiatives. She has spent her career helping communities implement coordinated clinical-community models. Today, Tracy leads Project Access NOW, a community-based nonprofit that facilitates coordinated services to advance access to care and social services that support better health outcomes.

John Espinola – President & CEO, PacificSource Health Plans

John Espinola leads operations and strategy for PacificSource, bringing experience in clinical care and health insurance. He previously served as Chief Strategy and Product Officer at Premera Blue Cross and led Kinwell Physician Network. Prior, he held leadership roles at Essence Healthcare and UnitedHealth Group in addition to practicing geriatric medicine.

Moderator

Nick Budnick – Editor-in-Chief, The Lund Report

Budnick edits and reports at The Lund Report, a nonprofit public service healthcare news organization founded in 2008 that serves Oregon and southwest Washington. He’s worked for Willamette Week, Bend Bulletin, Portland Tribune and The Oregonian/OregonLive, where he was its investigative healthcare reporter.

To discuss forum sponsorship opportunities, please contact Erin Hoover Barnett at erin@oregonhealthforum.org