Dr John Kitzhaber former Oregon Govenor for HHS

[Undercurrent]

Doug White, the editor of The American Journal of Emergency Medicine, writes in to push a name for HHS that seems to be getting more and more air time: Oregon's former governor, John Kitzhaber.

John Kitzhaber has been living and breathing the health reform almost three decades.

There is no one in the country that has a more thoughtful and more experienced approach to pragmatic health care reform and expanded coverage than Kitz. At a time when everyone is concerned about conflicts of interest, it's especially noteworthy that John has spent the last decade at grass roots organization rather than cashing in on his political success in state legislature leadership and as Governor of Oregon.

The events of this week present a remarkable opportunity for the President Obama to appoint someone who has clinical, executive, legislative, political and consensus building experience and talent to transform health care in this country in a bipartisan, sustainable way.

Kitzhaber advised Obama's team on natural resource policy during the transition period. But, as it was reported locally, he did not fill out "a formal seven-page application for a cabinet position in the new administration."

[Old Codger]

1. Absolutely

NOT....... I certainly hope not for damn sure. He is the one that got this bastardized system in Oregon, worst one I have ever seen.

[Alexander]

2. What's wrong with Kitzhaber? I know nothing about him.

I'd prefer Dean, but what's wrong with this guy?



On edit: I see now. That mullet is atrocious.

[sandnsea]

6. Nothing

But this web site might tell you something about that other guy.

http://www.17-76.com/

[Alexander]

13. That website doesn't tell me anything about anyone.

I don't know what you are trying to say or prove here. Please inform me. :shrug:

[sandnsea]

14. Maybe because I live in Oregon

I'm more familiar with the ones who hate our health plan, that's all.

[sandnsea]

4. What?

What are you complaining about in Oregon? There are a few glitches in this system, but it's one of the better ones in the country unless you're loaded.

[Vanje]

18. When the Oregon Health Plan was young,

It worked very well.
It was scavanged and gutted in subsequent years by Republicans in the state legislature

[sandnsea]

3. Says he won't go to DC

So I don't know that he wants it, but I hope he'd reconsider if it meant getting a viable health care plan for the country.

[Undercurrent]

5. It is rather hard to pursued to folks

leave our beautiful Pacific Northwest. :)

[sandnsea]

7. True, lol, I won't leave either

I would say I'd rather live in a tent than leave, except these days that's pushing fate a bit too much.

[Undercurrent]

8. btw

Can anyone see the photos I posted? I cleared my cache, and can still see them, but have had trouble in the past.

Thanks.

[Thrill]

9. He has his own blog

John Kitzhaber's Blog
An Invitation to President Obama
Submitted by John Kitzhaber on Mon, 02/02/2009 - 8:41am.



Dear President Obama,

It is increasingly clear that simply trying to get all Americans access to health insurance will not result in better health for Americans or reasonable health care costs. Without simultaneously having a public debate about what we are buying with our health care dollars and how the delivery system is structured, we will not solve the nation’s health care crisis.

Given the turmoil in our financial markets, we can no longer afford a system that gives us only a small return on investment in terms of population health for an annual expenditure of over $2.3 trillion in health care.

People all around this nation are looking for political leadership which will squarely confront the real issue involved here: that we cannot control rising health care costs unless we fundamentally shift our goal from financing health care to improving the health of the American people. And unless we can change our current fiscal trajectory (driven by the aging of the Baby Boom Generation) we will face a national debt of staggering proportions and an ever-increasing portion of the federal budget will be consumed by the entitlement programs.

Not only does this pose a serious threat to the fiscal stability of our nation, but the costs involved will make it difficult to invest in our other pressing national priorities, such as renewable energy research and development, and the other transitional investments necessary to move to a post-fossil-fuel economy.

There is not a simple solution to this problem, but there is a solution – as long as we have made the right diagnosis. Universal coverage is important, but unless that coverage results in better health and comes at a cost that does not bankrupt the nation, we will not have fulfilled our obligation to the future. We can do better.

We are here to help. We invite you to Oregon where we have spent the past three years in exactly the type of engagement that you are now asking all Americans to embark upon. We have held town hall gatherings, community forums, house parties and chapter meetings in people's homes, coffee shops and community centers. We passed legislation in 2007, leading to a year-long dialogue with legislators, policy makers and key stakeholders. We know what we want in a health system.

People in Oregon, and all across this nation, are willing to do the hard work, and to discuss the necessary tradeoffs, because we believe in America’s ability to find innovative solutions to its most difficult problems.

We look forward to meeting with you in Oregon and to working together to shape this nation's future.

John Kitzhaber

John A. Kitzhaber, M.D.
Oregon Governor, 1995-2003
Founder, The Archimedes Movement
www.WeCanDoBetter.org

http://www.wecandobetter.org/Kitzhabers_Blog

[PetrusMonsFormicarum]

10. Yes!

I've been pushing for this since November 5. Post-governorship, Kitzhaber founded the Archimedes Movement, a think tank for developing new approaches to our nation's health care woes. Check them out here: http://archimedesmovement.org/

[davidpdx]

11. Dr. Kitzhaber would be an excellent HHS Sec or Surgeon Gen

Except I'd love to see him run for governor again in 2010 when our current gov is term limited (note: the term limit is two consecutive terms, so he could run again after being out for eight years). He and his wife are now divorced and I think he has pretty much turned down the idea of living in DC though. It seems like a very slim possibility.

[Mme. Defarge]

12. A fantastic choice! n/t

[depakid]

15. Ideal choice

Kitzhaber's drafting of the Oregon Health Plan- along with the extensive stakeholder and community involvement and input on decisions (consensus building) mirrors what needs to be done on this national level.

That said- the chances that Gov. Kitzhaber would choose to live and work in the cesspool of D.C. are likely slim to none.

That's why he's not a Senator- even though the job was there simply for the asking.

[Vanje]

16. Yes!

Perfect.
Kitzhauber is a former emergency room physician who spear-headed Oregons Health Plan.

He was a great governor, able to get stuff done even when the Oregon Legislature was dominated by Republicans.

[rucky]

17. Kitz would be a great choice!