SB704 the path to better care to more people for less money

 

Health Care for All Oregon Report

The AFSCME Retirees Union Chapter 75 continues to support Health Care for All Oregon because the current system of health insurance is too expensive, complex, inflationary, creates bankruptcies, creates racial and economic disparities and by treating healthcare as a commodity rural hospitals are closing while urban hospitals are merging with insurance companies creating worse service to more people at higher costs. This current system drains wages from workers and savings from retirees.

HCAO continues to expand its supporter base including individual members and endorsers, Unions, businesses, faith based organizations, social activist groups, and health care providers.

Senate Bill 770 which was approved in the 2019 session created the Joint Task Force on Universal Healthcare.  That Task Force was delayed by the outbreak of Covid.  However, in September of 2022 it completed its report to the Oregon Legislature. This report creates a pathway to singlepayer universal health care, covering every resident in Oregon for less money than it is already costing us. No more premiums, out of pockets, deductibles, denials, and divergent or inequitable charges.  It would be a self-funded public trust organization separate from the General Fund under the Department of Administrative Services.

SB704 has been submitted by Senator James Manning. The Board is responsible to create the resources for the program with a progressive individual healthcare tax coupled with employer payroll taxes. In addition the governance board will be responsible along with the Governor to secure the federal waivers to receive federal funding (Medicare, Medicaid, Chip, etc.). SB704 requires that a singlepayer universal healthcare program be completed for the 2025 Legislature.

In addition the Oregon voters approved Measure 111 a constitutional change making it the obligation of the state to ensure that every resident of Oregon has access to cost-effective, clinically appropriate and affordable health care as a fundamental right. Oregon has become the first state to ensure healthcare as a human right.

HCAO will have its Annual Membership Meeting at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at 5090 Center St. NE, Salem, Oregon on June 10.  Every member organization is entitled to one voting representative. Individual members are invited to attend.

Submitted by

Lou Sinniger

President, AFSCME Subchapter 41

HCAO Union Caucus Chair

4/28/2023