This week the Joint Ways and Means Subcommittee on Transportation and Economic Development and the full Joint Ways and Means Committee voted to advance SB 1089, our priority for 2023. During the May 30 Subcommittee Work Session, a lively discussion was held. Click here to listen (SB 1089 begins at the 48:20 mark). While reflecting on the historic moment and pushing for the necessary funding, Rep. Mark Gamba stated: "We are attempting to do something that no state has done yet so far.... A lot of folks who have been advocating for this for decades think the numbers need to be more like 4-6 million dollars...."

Rep. Kevin Mannix stated: "There are a lot things that are really good in here about the objectives, what we are trying to achieve...."

To follow the bill go here then click on e-subscribe toward upper right.

Your voice is critical, contact your legislator today! To find your current legislators go here and put in your address.

Share your story and deliver a clear message that "now is the time to transform healthcare and fully fund the Universal Health Care Plan Governance Board. This is the path to meeting Oregon's constitutional obligation to achieve health equity and affordability. Read: "The Problem and the Solution".

Register today! The business to elect or re-elect members to the HCAO Board and to improve the bylaws will be the agenda from 10am-11am.

After the conclusion of the business meeting there is a dynamic conference planned for you! Kicking off the conference will be Senator James Manning's Chief of Staff, Kenzy Siefert. The conference continues with interactive panels covering the latest essentials of universal healthcare outreach, education and advocacy.

The line up of speakers is shaping up with Keynote Speaker Commissioner Susheela Jayapal, Congresswoman Andrea Salinas, and Representative Travis Nelson confirmed to join us on Saturday!

Come connect with each other, HCAO's new executive director Maribeth Healey, and the members of the Board. Click here for details and to register.

Read the article. United and Optum having been establishing a stronger foothold in Oregon. Read the article.

HCAO Member Organization ONA has been on the forefront of fighting for safe staffing. This year's Oregon HB 2697 states: "In developing the professional and technical staffing plan, the primary goal of the committee shall be to ensure that the hospital is staffed sufficiently to meet the health care needs of the patients in the hospital."

This article from the Lund Report "After a patient died, a frustrated nurse sent an email — and was fired" exposes the continued crisis of the nursing shortage.

Isn't it time we take the administrative waste and profits in health care and use those dollars to take care of patients?

A shout out and thank you to Norman Sylvester and the other fabulous musicians, without whom this event would not have been possible! The generous sponsors and all the fantastic volunteers and staff came together to "make it real" and had a great time. The concert goers had a blast hitting the dance floor almost from the first chord being struck and were invigorated to do more to make health care for all a reality in Oregon.

Again, a special thanks to these sponsors: Classic Pianos, Morel Ink, AFT-Oregon, Hollywood Theatre, Five Star Guitars and the fabulous Soul Queens & Blues Kings!

For further information and questions, contact Linda Alband (operations@hcao.org).