Everybody In! Nobody Out!
News, Events, and Actions
HCAO Annual Membership Meeting and Board Elections
On June 11, AFT President Jaime Rodriguez and Dr. Thuy Tran gave the opening remarks about the necessity of a publicly funded universal health care system for all. Each emphasized the need for both workers and businesses. Also, highlighted were the importance of grassroots community engagement in the transformation of a healthcare system and the November "Right to Health Care" ballot measure to declare access to health care as a fundamental right.

Delegates elected 8 board members to serve two year terms. Elected to the board for the first time were Lisa Bassett as HCAO Treasurer and Renee Ruiz as Member at Large. Meet the 2022/2023 HCAO Board of Directors .
4th Annual "HCAO Volunteer You Rock Awards" were presented to Lou Sinniger for years of service as Membership Committee Chair; Gracie Campbell for graphic design work; and Board Secretary Mark Lindgren for 22 years of board service.

The universal health care movement needs volunteers like you. Volunteer at https://www.hcao.org/volunteer
Abortion remains legal and accessible in Oregon.


HCAO joined the June 24 protest to support member organizations' Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon and Portland Democratic Socialists of America. Listen to Planned Parenthood Advocates Executive Director rousing call to action.

HCAO volunteer Dr. Faith Galderisi delivered a message on behalf of HCAO to the thousands gathered in downtown Portland. Listen carefully to this brief clip of Faith's message about reproductive freedom and the right to health care.
The "Right to Health Care" Campaign
Ready for Volunteers
The campaign is recruiting volunteers. If you are ready, complete this form. Become a field lead, LTE writer or a phonebanker. Read More.

The campaign can be reached at righttohealthcareoregon@gmail.com.

Has your organization signed on? Organizational sign on in support is here.

Inform everyone in your circle and network that the Right to Health Care Measure (SJR 12) is on the ballot this November and to vote in 2022.

To register to vote or to update your registration go the State of Oregon Elections.

At this time you can support our efforts by providing additional financial support to HCAO. Donate Now.
Current Health Care System Cost Over 330,000 Lives During Covid
"Universal Health Care Could Have saved more than 330,000 U.S. lives" reads the title of a new study reported in Scientific American. The report quotes lead author Alison Galvani, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Modeling and Analysis at the Yale School of Public Health, “Medicare for All would be both an economic stimulus and life-saving transformation of our health care system. It will cost people far less than the status quo.”

The report on the study states, "the U.S. also could have saved $105.6 billion in health care costs associated with hospitalizations from the disease—on top of the estimated $438 billion that could be saved in a non-pandemic year.... They found that a single-payer health care system would generate savings in three ways: more efficient investment in preventative care, lowered administrative costs, and increased negotiating power for pharmaceuticals, equipment, and fees."

As a final quote, "Galvani says the message that comes out of the new study is clear: 'Universal single-payer health care is both economically responsible and morally imperative.'” Read the full Report.
Volunteers Build Awareness in Communities Across the State!
HCAO Union County Joins the Eastern Oregon Livestock Show Parade
HCAO Portland Engages at Sunday Parkways
HCAO Lane County Connects at Saturday Market
Chapters around the state passionately spread the message that HCAO is fighting for equitable, affordable, comprehensive, high-quality, publicly funded healthcare! To join the action in your community to build awareness and gain supporters contact your local Chapter Chair or Kate Pfister-Minogue at mobilization@hcao.org.

To volunteer complete the volunteer form
HCAO Faith Caucus Welcomes all Faiths!
Opportunity for Involvement
What is the HCAO Faith Caucus?

The HCAO Faith Caucus works to educate congregations on the growing crisis in health care access and affordability, encouraging members to get involved in our struggle to address these injustices. We offer assistance with mobilizing support in your faith community. Whether or not your congregation has decided to join or endorse HCAO, there are plenty of ways that individuals can make a difference by putting their faith into action.

The HCAO Faith Caucus recognizes that the teachings of most every faith include some version of the Golden Rule. We believe that nowhere does this principle apply more clearly than in the case of assuring that all have access to health care when they are in need.

The faith community will play a critical role in the effort to create a publicly funded universal health care system in Oregon and, ultimately, for everyone in the US.

Check out the current list of HCAO faith organizational members here.

For more information or to get involved contact Rick Staggenborg at Faith@hcao.org or 541-217-8044
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!