CCO Highlight: Cascade Health Alliance

All our member CCOs are doing a wonderful job filling gaps and providing services to their members, and this week we are focusing on Cascade Health Alliance of Klamath Falls, Oregon.

Late last week, Cascade Health Alliance (CHA) got an email from Basin Transit, alerting them to the fact that starting now, no one will be allowed on public transit in Klamath Falls without a face mask. This could be detrimental to some OHP members if they do not have the ability to buy or make their own face masks, as many OHP members travel using public transit.

This concern over their member’s safety while using public transit was a catalyst for CHA. They sprang to action to ensure that their OHP members, employees, and their employees’ families have access to face masks—especially those being made and sold locally.

Because so many Oregonians are currently out of work, CHA’s team started looking for a local supplier so the money they spend on face masks could go directly back into the community and help other Oregonians pay their bills.

With some luck, a lot of hard work, and a couple community asks, CHA was able to find a local supplier of face masks who used to run a different small business. This community member re-tooled her shop to make and sell reusable, COVID-19 safe facemasks to those who need them. With the income earned from selling masks, the local supplier was able to hire three more neighbors who had also been laid off due to COVID-19.

To be sure the masks were COVID-19 safe for their members, Cascade Health Alliance had a trusted provider of 25 years, Dr. Raul Mirande, a general surgeon, check that the masks were up to snuff.

Once they got approval from Dr. Mirande, CHA was thrilled to collaborate with these amazing Oregonians who were already making masks for their neighbors and friends! Cascade Health Alliance commissioned 2,500 masks from their community partner, which is the largest order the small business in Klamath Falls had ever received!

These face masks will be delivered weekly to OHP members and CHA employees through no-contact delivery, or during a non-emergent medical transport.

Now, while running errands, riding the bus, or going to work, OHP members served by the Cascade Health Alliance, and CHA employees will be able to keep themselves safe.

People of Klamath Falls, we have good news! Cascade Health Alliance literally has you covered!

Thank you CHA for your hard work and commitment caring for people in the Basin and for quickly and thoughtfully addressing this problem.