Community Voices Drive Innovative Health Care Changes April 13, 2026 Improving health care access and equity starts with listening to local voices.That’s the idea behind the Community Advisory Council (CAC). It brings diverse perspectives from Oregon Health Plan members and community leaders in Linn, Benton and Lincoln counties directly into the decision-making process. InterCommunity Health Network (IHN-CCO) is a proactive partner that not only listens but responds to those voices. The CAC plays an important role in holding the organization accountable while also helping achieve its goals. According to Rebekah Fowler, the reason that IHN-CCO’s CAC works so well is its ability to turn lived experiences into real change. Fowler has coordinated and supported the Council since its inception in 2012. She said it has a track record of identifying issues within the health care system at its regular meetings, and of working with IHN-CCO and its community partners to find solutions for members. “From the beginning, IHN-CCO has taken the Community Advisory Council seriously,” Fowler said. “Their priority is to help members and listen when members speak the truth about what’s going on.” For example, Fowler said a member told the CAC about a systemic issue of gender misidentification in a local hospital system. The CAC passed this information to IHN, which addressed the issue at its source and fixed it. The CAC meeting structure supports this kind of dialogue and proactive problem-solving. Local monthly meetings in each of the three counties provide a space for people to share concerns about Medicaid programs and benefits, while bi-monthly regional meetings help tie the threads together. During these sessions, Member Advocacy Liaison Beck Fox and other IHN-CCO staff help track issues and connect with the appropriate teams. An Innovator Agent from the Oregon Health Authority also participates, giving updates and serving as a bridge between the CCO and the state agency. While CAC meetings provide a valuable forum, many issues, especially those related to coverage, can be resolved more effectively through customer service or the formal grievance process. The CAC helps shape long-term priorities and big-picture solutions. It was fundamental in updating the Community Health Improvement Plan in 2024, which set current health priorities, including: Access to affordable housing Access to quality care Behavioral health Inclusion, Diversity, Anti-Racism and Equity (IDARE) Following the CAC’s housing priority, since 2021 IHN-CCO has distributed $8.2 million in housing-focused efforts through the Supporting Health for All through Reinvestment (SHARE) initiative, including $2.2 million directly awarded by a CAC subcommittee. CAC representatives serve three-year terms. To help reduce barriers to participation, a $50 stipend is offered for each meeting.Representation varies across the region. Lincoln County, for example, currently has two vacant IHN-CCO member CAC representative seats, leaving room for more local involvement. Do you know of someone who would make a good representative for their community on the Council? Learn more about the CAC and how to get involved.
