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News, Events, and Actions
We Did It!
"Right to Health Care" Measure 111 Passes
What's Next?
As the nation watched, thanks to you, access to healthcare as a fundamental right is now enshrined in the Oregon Constitution. Every vote for every part of Oregon got us there. Every vote surely mattered.

What: "Measure 111 and Next Steps for Oregon" Panel presentation. With special holiday guest Santa.
When: Dec 13, 6-7pm
Where: Zoom--Registration required. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

The Task Force on Universal Health Care has recommended the establishment of a permanent Universal Healthcare Plan (UHP) Governance Board to implement the Plan. Read HCAO Summary. We will review and talk next steps.
Why We Exist--Gloria's Story
"I am Gloria’s father, Les Rogers. Gloria developed a seizure condition that is treated by a drug invented nearly 100 years ago (ATCH). Cost of the drug? $40/vial until another company bought the rights to make it–AND RAISED the price to $45,000/VIAL! This drug company also blocked a generic drug being produced in Canada ($200/vial) from coming to the US. The outcome for Gloria? Treatment delays and fighting with our insurance over costs of the drug have left her on a feeding tube and suction dependent. AND, our family—on the edge of bankruptcy! This type of price gouging has resulted in brain damage, cerebral palsy, lifelong tube feedings–even death for so many others!!"

We battle on! Why? Because of so many stories like Gloria’s!
Elections are Over--The Work Begins.
Get Involved!

The legislature and its health care committees are meeting in pre-session December 7-9. House Health Care Committee Dec. 7 & Senate Committee on Health Care Dec 8. Tune in to hear Sen. Manning's & Task Force Chair Bruce Goldberg's report in the Senate Health Care Committee.

Now is the time to contact your reps that will be serving in 2023. Tell your story and how important universal health care is to you. Deliver a clear message that "now is the time to transform health care by advancing the recommendation of the Joint Task Force on Universal Health Care to establish and fund the Universal Health Care Plan Governance Board. This is the only path to Health Equity and Affordability."

To find your legislator for next session:
  • Go here and put in your address to get your Oregon House and Senate Districts for 2023.
  • Put that Oregon House District or Senate District into a web search.
  • Scroll down until you find the Ballotpedia link and click on it.
  • You should now scroll down to find who was elected or remains in office.

You can also go to their candidate website and/or official website to see what they say about the issues.

Your voice will be critical as the legislature decides how to fulfill M111’s mandate and the recommendation of the Joint Task Force on Universal Health Care.
Help Stop Amazon Clinics in Oregon
From the Lund Report: "Online retail giant Amazon has launched a multi-billion-dollar bid to expand its health care business, setting up an interesting new test for Oregon’s toughest-in-the-nation mergers and acquisitions oversight program." Read the Article.

It is clear that Amazon is about profit taking and cares not about health equity or the health of individuals or communities.

Your Public Comment Needed. The health authority is conducting a 30-day review of the plan and wants public comment by Dec. 14. Tell the OHA that "this is just another example of the for profit industry whose first priority is to make money for share holders. Let's not allow making money be the first priority. The first priority must be health equity not private equity."

Email comments to hcmo.info@oha.oregon.gov by December 14, 2022.

We know that now is the time for a single payer universal healthcare system.
HCAO Connects with Marshallese Community
The Oregon Marshallese Community invited HCAO to OMC Day in Salem. We were able to learn about the historic denials of care and limitations to access that these special status legal immigrants have including the challenges of signing up for Medicaid. Those attending were introduced to HCAO and the movement to universal healthcare.

Here is a statement from the American Pacific Islander American Health Forum:
  • "We believe in the right to health. Health is a human right .... Health equity is both a moral and economic imperative and critical to the U.S. being a nation with shared prosperity for all. ... health equity must be the overarching goal against which any policy is benchmarked."
Medicare Advantage Exposed
The Scheme
The Waste
It is clear that Medicare Advantage plans do not center health equity or the health of individuals or communities. This system perpetuates the current complexity, denial of care, limits provider choice, and wastes dollars on costly advertising. Clearly there is no "advantage". It is clear this is about profits. Now this scheme that so many seniors are trapped in is being exposed. Because of the complexity, it is nearly impossible for any individual to know what to do. Statements such as "All the ingredients you need to choose the right plan" are designed to mislead. We need to transform the system.
"Millions in Advantage Plans Overcharges" Read the Article
"Complaints soar over misleading Medicare Advantage marketing" Read the Article.
HCAO's Intersectional Effort
Addressing the Social Determinants of Health
In alignment with HCAO's mission to "improve the lives of individuals, families and communities across Oregon", HCAO is so proud to be part of the 2023 Fair Shot coalition, championing an agenda that prioritizes racial, gender, and economic justice. These are the social determinants of health that must be addressed while we transform the healthcare system.
Learn more: fairshotoregon.org
Your Financial Support Is Needed
The work to educate about and advocate for universal healthcare is possible ONLY because of YOU.
For further information and questions, contact Linda Alband (operations@hcao.org).
Please become a member, make an additional contribution, or volunteer.
Everybody in! Nobody out!