Dr. Judy Richardson, M.D., M.B.A., has recently been appointed to the Oregon Health Authority’s Evidence-based Guidelines Subcommittee and the Universal Health Plan Governance Board. As an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine and the Division of Management faculty member, she sat down for an interview on these organizations' work and provided insight on how to get involved.  

Evidence-based Guidelines Subcommittee of the Health Evidence Review Commission

Can you share a little be about the work that this committee does?  

This committee reviews the scientific evidence and public testimony related to therapies, medications and treatments and makes recommendations to the Health Evidence Review Commission about which ones should or should not be covered under the Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid). One product of the HERC is the Prioritized List of Health Services, used by the legislature to guide funding decisions for the Oregon Health Plan. We also review and provide evidence-based reports and guidelines on specific health topics of interest to Oregon health payers and providers as well as members of the public.  

What inspired you to get involved with this organization and committee?  

During my work at the OHA during the pandemic, I met several providers working really hard to keep up with what we currently knew about COVID-19, vaccines and treatment options. I was excited by the challenge of learning something new every day, the opportunity to evaluate the evidence, and using that knowledge to immediately help others. 

Can you share a little bit about your background and how it has prepared you for this?  

Besides my experience during the pandemic, my MBA and focus on Health Economics help me to think about providing health services that will do the most good for the most people. That's my approach to health economics in a nutshell. 

Do you have any advice for students or alumni wanting to get more involved in boards and committees? 

Follow the OHA on Linkedin- they post new volunteer opportunities like this one regularly. You can also scan the Oregon State Workday postings for committees and boards looking to add members. o What was the application/review process like? I actually started by submitting my CV and applying for an open seat on the HERC, but the staff thought based on my background I would be better suited to the EBGS. My application was chosen and I was interviewed by staff, and was then appointed to the committee.  

What are you looking forward to most about being on this subcommittee?  

I'm looking forward to learning a lot: new scientific evidence, and how to communicate that complex information in a way that is accessible to the public and to providers.  

Any other tidbits you’d like to share?  

Apply for open positions if you have a strong interest, even if you might not meet the volunteer job requirements perfectly. I have had many opportunities open up to me after expressing an interest in one job and the reviewer offering me a different one that was equally interesting.  

The Universal Health Plan Governance Board

Can you share a little be about the work that this board does? 

This Governance Board was established by Senate Bill 1089 in 2023 and charged to bring a plan for a publicly funded, single-payer universal health plan back to the Legislature in 2025, with an aim for the plan to start in 2027.  

What inspired you to get involved with this organization and committee? 

Dr. Bruce Goldberg is the origin of this idea, started the task force to do the ground work. I invited him to speak about it to our MBA and MS Health Systems students. If it passes the Legislature, it will be the first universal coverage plan in the country. Oregon has always been innovative in terms of health systems and payment reform, but this is leagues beyond the 1115 Waiver in terms of impact and scope. 

Can you share a little bit about your background and how it has prepared you for this? 

I think my experience with economic evaluation of the Washington Medicaid Transformation Project while working at the Center for Health Systems Effectiveness, my MBA, my strong background in health economics, and with the Oregon CCO project has given me a toolkit which will come in handy on this board. 

Do you have any advice for students or alumni wanting to get more involved in boards and committees?  

Follow the OHA on Linkedin- they post new volunteer opportunities like this one regularly. You can also scan the Oregon State Workday postings for committees and boards looking to add members.  

What was the application/review process like? 

Unlike the EBGS, this was a Governor nominated, Senate confirmed position. I submitted my CV and application for consideration, then received a nomination from the Governor's office and sat for Senate committee confirmation (with the Senate Rules Committee). The confirmation hearings were not very intense, mostly introducing myself and my interest in serving on this Board. Then the Senate votes to confirm candidates.  

What are you looking forward to most about being on this board? 

I'm really looking forward the analysis of the proposal by the task force, analyzing stakeholder input and synthesizing a product for the Legislature that they support. AND being part of ground breaking innovation is pretty exciting. I'm truly humbled they picked me.  

Any other tidbits you’d like to share?  

Build and nurture your networks. Dr. Goldberg is a wonderful physician and policy thinker. We were lucky to have him speak to the students, and he remembered speaking with them when he saw my interest in the Governing Board. 

Oregon Legislation Creates Universal Health Plan Governance Board Governance Board is directed to bring plan to Legislature for implementation of a new universal healthcare plan in Oregon https://www.hcinnovationgroup.com/policy-value-based-care/news/53073153…