Oregon’s Healthcare Revolution: A Vision for Universal Coverage
As a candidate running on a platform focused on healthcare reform, I am proud to stand with the people of Oregon. Together, we are on a journey towards implementing a single-payer healthcare system. This bold and transformative initiative aims to ensure that every Oregonian has access to high-quality healthcare without the financial burdens that have plagued us for too long. Here’s how we plan to make this vision a reality, how we intend to fund it, and the comprehensive coverage it will provide.
Our Path to Implementation
In 2019, Oregon took a revolutionary step with the passage of Senate Bill 770, establishing the Joint Task Force on Universal Health Care. This task force is diligently designing a system to deliver robust healthcare to everyone in Oregon, without the exorbitant costs often associated with medical care.
The proposed Health Care for All Oregon Plan is built on principles of equity, affordability, and inclusiveness. Every permanent resident—including Medicare beneficiaries and undocumented immigrants—will be eligible for coverage. Imagine a state where your healthcare needs are met regardless of your employment status, income level, or immigration status. This is the future we are building together in Oregon.
How We Will Fund This Ambitious Plan
A key question is, “How will we pay for it?” Our comprehensive funding strategy combines federal and state revenues with contributions from employers and households.
Here’s the plan: A dedicated public trust fund will be established, separate from Oregon’s General Fund, to pool these resources. Employers will contribute through a payroll tax based on employee wages, while households will pay a healthcare income tax scaled to their income. This design ensures that contributions are fair and manageable for everyone.
Moreover, we will seek federal waivers to integrate existing Medicaid and Medicare funds into our new system. Our aim is to negotiate increased federal funding to align with Oregon’s healthcare provider reimbursement rates. This integrated approach will replace traditional healthcare costs such as premiums, deductibles, and co-pays with a simplified, equitable tax system.
Comprehensive Coverage for All
The Health Care for All Oregon Plan promises to cover a wide range of healthcare services. These benefits are akin to those currently enjoyed by state employees, including dental, vision, hearing, and behavioral health services. And the best part? Zero out-of-pocket costs. No more premiums, co-pays, or deductibles standing in the way of getting the care you need.
In our envisioned system, all healthcare providers in Oregon will be required to participate. This gives you the freedom to choose any licensed provider. Participation will streamline administrative processes and reduce costs by having providers bill only one entity rather than multiple insurers.
Closing Thoughts
The movement towards a single-payer healthcare system in Oregon is not just about reforming healthcare; it’s about transforming lives. It’s about ensuring that no one has to choose between paying rent and seeing a doctor, between buying groceries and getting a prescription filled.
As your candidate, I am committed to seeing this vision through. The Health Care for All Oregon Plan is a testament to what we can achieve when we come together with a shared purpose. While challenges remain, our resolve is strong, and our commitment to a healthier, more equitable Oregon is unwavering.
Join me in supporting this groundbreaking endeavor. Together, we can make Oregon a shining example of what is possible when we prioritize the health and well-being of all our citizens. Universal, comprehensive, and equitable healthcare for every Oregonian is not just a dream; it’s our future. Let’s build it together.
0 Comments