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HCAO Turns 20 Updated
Plus Local, State & National Happenings
October 2020 Revised
HCAO's Board Retreat Focuses on Diversity Equity & Inclusion (DEI)
Lillian Tsai of TsaiComms led the HCAO Board in a dynamic training and discussion to analyze and advance HCAO strategic DEI goals. An Ad Hoc DEI Committee was formed to gather the ideas and plan next steps in advancing equity in our work.
HCAO Remembers Bill Whitaker
Sadly, our dear friend and healthcare advocate William (Bill) Whitaker died peacefully at his home in the early hours of September 27, 2020. Bill and his wife, Cheryl Simpson, helped shape the development of HCAO. Read more about Bill Whitaker HERE
Dr. Abdul Sayed Addresses Socio-Economic Insecurities
On Friday, September 26, the HCAO Board met with CNN commentator and leader in the single-payer movement Dr. Abdul El-Sayed. It was and informal but lively discussion about the socio-economic insecurities that are at the heart of so many health problems includinh the insecurity of having access to healthcare.

These topics are well outlined in his new book, Healing Politics. Through his personal life journey and philosophy, the book covers many "make sense" policies (including single-payer) through a justice and equity lens of intersectionality. Consider Healing Politics a primer for looking at how to focus on improving health. Thirteen ideas are presented with #1 being Medicare for All.

"It's all about having the will to stand unabashedly for the truth—and against the people and institutions that oppose it." Dr. El-Sayed.
Join HCAO
Saturday, October 10th
Help Get Out the Vote for Ballot Measure 108
Help spread the word to our communities that rely on OHP about this critical ballot measure. HCAO is a proud endorser of YES on 108, and we’re excited to share why we’ve thrown our support behind this critical ballot measure by partnering with Yes on 108. Healthcare is a right — not a luxury.

Here in Oregon, the Oregon Health Plan is how we make sure everyone can see a doctor when they are sick, no matter their age or their income. It protects 1 million of our friends and neighbors. Including 400,000 kids. There’s never been a more critical time to protect access to healthcare and to stand up for what’s right. Together, we can protect healthcare and ensure that every Oregonian is covered by voting to reduce youth vaping, save lives, and protect the Oregon Health Plan in the face of unprecedented budget cuts in Oregon. Click here for more information & to take action.
Help Get Out the Vote for Ballot Measure 107 and 110
Voter registration deadline is October 13.
• Requires the disclosure for political contributions and ads and spending and limits contributions
• Limits campaign contributions and spending
Oregon ranks nearly last of all states in access to basic drug treatment. This is a crisis. We need treatment not prison. Current laws and lack of access to needed care disproportionately impact People of Color. Click here for more information & to take action.
Dr. Ed Junkins Speaks About Work of Task Force
Task Force Vice Chair came to listen and provide insight at a meeting with HCAO member Mid-Valley Health Care Advocates. Listen here.

Task Force appointed 13 members to the Consumer Advisory Committee at the meeting on 9/29. Here are the appointees.

Click here to follow the Task Force. Next meeting is 10/14/20 at 1:00pm. You can watch during or after, provide public testimony during public hearing (must be registered by one hour before the meeting) or in provide written testimony at anytime. For more information contact legislative@hcao.org
HCAO is in its 20th Year of Fighting to Achieve Health Equity
In spite of the need to cancel our primary fundraiser Healing the Health Care Blues Concert, the work must go on. Please help HCAO raise $20,000 in the month of October to recognize 20 years in the fight for health care justice. Please make a donation of $20, $200, or $2000 or become a $20 month sustaining member toward this goal HERE to help strengthen HCAO resolve and ability at this critical time.

Not currently a Member? Join Today. Become that new or renewing member then ask a friend to join you.

Together, we can take on Big Pharma and the insurance profiteers.
Rep. Nosse introducing SB 770 in 2019

Keeping HOPE Alive
It is time to clearly declare that we must have:

  • Health
  • Over
  • Profits for
  • Everyone!

Representative Rob Nosse, long time healthcare as human right and single payer supporter, has reintroduced Representative Mitch Greenlick's 2020 constitutional amendment HJR 202 as an LC for the 2021 session. It will declare that healthcare is a fundamental right for all people who are residing in Oregon.
Katie Porter Takes on Big Pharma
Listen to Rep. Katie Porter take on a Big Pharma CEO. With your help, HCAO can take on both Big Pharma and the insurance profiteers.
Here is our latest poll:
Are you ready to insert healthcare as a fundamental right into Oregon's Constitution?
Yes
Will think about it.
No
New Business Supporter: Peoria Gardens
Peoria Gardens owners Ben and Katherine Verhoeven keeping a family business alive in challenging times
Peoria Gardens is a second generation farm and small business in Albany, Oregon. For decades they have provided their employees with healthcare because they know that a healthy workforce is a productive workforce. However with each passing year, they are paying more in premiums and getting less in return.

Ben Verhoeven: "We are strong supporters of universal healthcare because both my business and family know that we are not getting what we are paying for."

For more information on Peoria Gardens click HERE.
Other ways of Giving:

Want to change the healthcare system and get a tax deduction even if you don't itemize? Beginning January 1, 2020, the CARES Act allows for a new tax deduction even for people who don’t itemize. Consider an extra donation to HCAO. Read About It HERE

Memberships both monthly sustainers and annual individual memberships plus one-time cash gifts are important, but there are many other ways of enhancing your support for HCAO including ...

For further information and questions contact Linda Alband, operations@hcao.org
HCAO's ability to educate about and advocate for universal health care is possible ONLY because of YOU. Thank you for your past support! Please
become a member, make an additional contribution, or volunteer.
Everybody in! Nobody out!