Oregon once led the nation in health care innovation. At the heart of that success was the Prioritized List, a scientifically-driven process that ensured covered treatments were cost-effective and medically proven. It meant decisions were driven by evidence, not marketing hype or the latest high-priced “wonder drug.”

Former Governor John Kitzhaber, one of the original architects of Oregon’s health reform, explains why the Prioritized List of Health Services was created and why it matters today.

The Prioritized List was developed as part of the Oregon Health Plan to make Medicaid coverage evidence-based, transparent, and fair. This ensures the limited dollars go first to treatments that deliver the best health outcomes.

Instead of leaving decisions to opaque processes or political pressure, the list used medical evidence and expert judgment to rank treatments by clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. This helped Oregon expand health care access to more low-income residents because decisions about coverage were grounded in clear priorities rather than arbitrary cuts.

With current efforts underway to dismantle or weaken the list, Kitzhaber’s message serves as a reminder of the original vision — and why many health advocates are fighting to preserve it as a cornerstone of Oregon’s health care system.