When the Oregon Health Authority approved a controversial fast-tracked merger involving Optum in mid-March of this year, it made headlines across the nation. While this may be new information for some and old news to others, it's vital we continue focusing on this issue, as hospitals and clinics continue to feel the effects of the infamous software hack that temporarily crippled our health care system earlier this year. 

Rather than being held accountable, Optum and UnitedHealth Group were given license to improve their position and protect a business line that enjoys a seeming monopoly. The community and our health care providers need clear answers and transparency to trust that their health care services will remain high-quality and patient-focused.

You may have heard that the Oregon Health Authority was raising questions about UnitedHealth Group and how it is handling its business. UnitedHealth is a giant in the health care industry, owning companies like UnitedHealthcare and Optum. Optum, in particular, manages doctors' offices and clinics while also employing nearly 10% of all physicians in the United States. But certain actions by UnitedHealth Group are causing some to wonder if the company is acting appropriately, especially when it comes to a well-known medical group in Oregon called the Corvallis Clinic.