I and other members of the Union County Chapter of Health Care for All Oregon appreciate the “Our view” column in the July 11, 2023, edition of The Observer. We would like to expand on the points made and provide clarity.

Senate Bill 770 (2019) created the joint Task Force on Universal Health Care, charging it to make recommendations for a functional single-payer health care system that is responsive to the needs of the people of Oregon. This task force was made up of citizen volunteers from around the state, including a Union County resident, with diverse backgrounds including health care and business community members. Over a two-year period, this task force met for more than 250 hours, sponsored a consumer advisory committee, and held 13 community listening sessions as well as business forums across Oregon. The result from this diverse input was a well-designed blueprint for a robust system of health care for all Oregonians.

The Task Force on Universal Health Care determined that just tweaking the current system would not work to meet the objective of affordable health care for every Oregonian. Below are some key elements from the task force’s recommendations:

• All people who live in Oregon will qualify for the Universal Health plan.

• No copays or deductibles. Medical debt will no longer exist.

• People will pay new taxes based on their ability to pay. For most people this will be less than they are paying for health care now.

• The plan will cover medical, dental, vision, hearing and greatly expand mental health benefits.

• The plan will pay Health Care Providers directly and eliminate the current system of different reimbursement rates by insurance.

• The plan will separate health insurance from employment. This means that employers will no longer need to provide health benefits but will contribute to the health of Oregonians through a payroll tax. This is a much simpler arrangement for employers.

• The plan will be overseen by a nonprofit public corporation. An independent board, made up of health care professionals and community members, will govern the plan. This board will report to the Legislative Assembly and the governor. Regional groups will advise the board to respond to the unique needs of the diverse communities across Oregon. Right now, for-profit health insurance companies dictate our health care system.

Senate Bill 1089 (2023) creates and funds the Governance Board, which is mandated to complete a full single-payer implementation plan for review and consideration by the 2025 Legislative Assembly. We acknowledge significant work remains; health care is complex. Right now, it makes up 17.8% of our GDP for the nation. We have the highest health care costs in the world; in contrast, Japan’s health care has a GDP of 10.9%. They are currently working on lowering this. Despite the fact citizens of the United States pay more for health care, our maternal mortality rates are increasing and life expectancy is decreasing.

In summary, Health Care for All Oregon is working toward a health care system that is equitable, affordable and effective. The estimate of savings for the state is $1 billion per year.

Health Care for All Oregon is a grassroots organization working for more than 20 years for equity in health care, wherever you live. We are committed to educating the public on the changes in Oregon’s health care. Change is not easy, but neither is our current system.

Questions? We will be at the Union County Fair Aug. 2-5. Please come talk with us or go to HCAO.org for more information.