Our Mission

Our Guiding Principles

Address the foundations of health

Treating symptoms without addressing key determinants of health results in worse outcomes and higher costs. The strongest health predictors exist outside of the medical system and are rooted in social, economic, and community factors. By designing solutions that holistically address all of the key determinants of health, we can improve health outcomes and reduce costs.

Build consensus around shared community values

Creating healthy communities requires collaboration between community members, policy makers, and providers. By identifying shared values around health priorities, stakeholders can create momentum for systemic change that transcends individual interests and implements innovative, widely supported solutions.

Support evidence-based policy

Evidence-based healthcare policies are crucial for optimizing the health of communities. By relying on accurate data and proven approaches, we can effectively allocate limited resources, avoiding costly experimental methods and building consensus among stakeholders to improve health equity.

Improve understanding of the healthcare system

Understanding healthcare as a system is critical for developing effective, evidence-based reforms. A comprehensive systems approach leads to more effective policy design, resource allocation, and strategic actions that address complex healthcare challenges, reduce inefficiencies, and ultimately improve overall health outcomes.

Our Work

Drawing from over 35 years of experience in Oregon’s healthcare landscape, FamilyCare Health now leads as an independent non-profit focused on systemic reform. Free from member or donor obligations, we advocate for unbiased, evidence-based solutions that tackle the root causes of health disparities while promoting cost-effective approaches.

We focus on four key areas:

• Education: Informing lawmakers, healthcare leaders, and communities about the social determinants of health.
• Policy: Supporting and shaping legislation that drives systemic healthcare improvements.
• Innovation: Promoting collaborative approaches to care delivery that prioritize prevention.
• Assessment: Evaluating healthcare outcomes to ensure accountability and continuous improvement.

Our work bridges the gap between healthcare providers, policymakers, and communities. By promoting shared values, advancing preventive care, and addressing early determinants of health, we’re creating a healthcare system that delivers better outcomes for all Oregonians.

Who We Are

Since 1984, FamilyCare Health has been at the forefront of healthcare innovation in Oregon. For over three decades, we served as one of Oregon’s largest capitated health plans, providing care to 120,000 Medicaid and Medicare members. This hands-on experience gave us deep insights into healthcare’s challenges and opportunities.

Today, we operate as an independent research and education non-profit, advocating for systemic reforms grounded in evidence and outcomes. Our independence allows us to push for bold changes without being constrained by special interests.

Our unique blend of real-world healthcare delivery experience and independent advocacy equips us to bridge theory and practice. We understand what works—and what needs to change—to build a healthcare system that truly serves all Oregonians, focusing on prevention, early intervention, and equitable access to care.