Free Republic

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Obama administration is buying into an ambitious health care initiative in Oregon, announcing Thursday that it's tentatively agreed to chip in $1.9 billion over five years to help get the program off the ground. Oregon hopes to prove that states can save billions on Medicaid without sacrificing the quality of health care. Democratic Gov. John Kitzhaber's plan would invest in preventive care to keep patients healthy so they don't need expensive hospitalizations.