Oregon to Look at Single-Payer Bill Next Session

[eridani]

http://www.thelundreport.org/resource/oregon_to_look_at_single_payer_bill_next_session

A loose coalition of single-payer advocates in Oregon has taken the first steps toward developing legislation for the 2011 session.

The bill would ultimately work in conjunction with the state’s ongoing efforts to form a health insurance exchange andpossibly a public option, supporters say.

State Rep. Michael Dembrow, a first-term Democrat from northeast Portland, is interested in sponsoring a state-based single-payer bill, but first wants to give advocates a chance to reach consensus.

Groups involved in the effort include Portland Jobs with Justice, Physicians for a National Health Program with chapters in Corvallis and Portland, Health Care For All Oregon and the League of Women Voters.

“It’s all very preliminary,” Dembrow said. “There are many of us who feel that ultimately the best way to pay for healthcare is through a single-payer program – not deliver it, but pay for it. It’s something that needs to remain in the conversation.”

States including Vermont, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and California – where a Democratic-controlled legislature twice passed single-payer bills that were vetoed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger – are also working on single-payer legislation this year.

A recent letter from U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) to Democratic and Republican leaders in the Oregon Legislature gave encouragement to the idea of seeking federal waivers so states can pursue innovative ideas that go further than the federal law. The letter did not, however, offer any specific concepts.

[napi21]

1. I heard about this on the radio thisAM. Oregon has always been

ahead of the rest of the Country when it comes to health. They were the first as AFAIK the only state to compile a list of drugs and if they really help you. I wish more States would join them it their ideas.

[sandnsea]

2. We've had insurance subsidies since 1997

And the OHP since 1994. You'd think people would get the idea that we know how to get from nowhere to health care.

[dkf]

3. Excellent!

[Scuba]

4. This is the sentiment across America, but we didn't even get a public option. What gives?

[SoCalDem]

5. If I recall correctly, Canadian health care started in the provinces & then spread

Maybe this is the way we have to approach it. My only fear is that states with liberal/good health care will be inundated with people moving there just to get the care, and if there are not enough jobs or affordable housing options, it could squash the health plans.

People will do whatever is necessary to get health care for their families..

I have always wondered why individual counties did not organize themselves into large groups, and demand better rates from "the insurers"...

[Sherman A1]

6. This is good news indeed!

I am glad that at least one state is heading down the right path.

Much better than that damnable Prop C here in Missouri that passed.