Oregon Medical Group

The bill has strong support from Eugene, Corvallis area lawmakers who argue corporate takeovers have made it harder for their constituents to get care.

The Oregon Health Authority has found that Eugene-based Oregon Medical Group, and two insurers, unreasonably increased healthcare costs.

A pair of Eugene lawmakers say that health care giant Optum, Inc. has agreed to release local doctors from non-compete contracts that critics said had blocked area patients from receiving needed care.

An unknown number of Oregon Medical Group patients have been unexpectedly turned away over the last few months. Most were told their primary care provider had left. Many blame the loss of their doctor on the clinic’s out of state owners, and healthcare consolidation.