Tuesday, January 10, 2006
More on missing health care
This rainy day is the day to post about health care, I guess. Nothing like cold wet weather to make me remember things like arthritis, post-nasal drip, snot...
Profile of Bus Project Conference: ‘Ealth Care Takes Center Stage
http://www.oregoniansforhealthsecurity.org/about/monitor/index.cfm
"How long would Microsoft last if Bill Gates held on to a 10-year-old operating system, or one that is 18 months old? But we're holding onto a 40-year-old health-care system and wonder why we cannot meet the health-care challenges of the 21st century.” Governor Kitzhaber (Statesman Journal, 1/6/06)
OHS allies the Bus Project held their biennial conference this past weekend. The group focuses on the 6 E’s– education, environment, election reform, equal rights, economic strength, and our favorite– ’ealth care.
At the conference, OHS Executive Director Maribeth Healey presented common-sense solutions for reforming health care on a panel that included former Governor John Kitzhaber and Tina Kotek from Children First, Mike Bonetto of Clear Choice Health Plans, and Dr. David Pollack, an OHSU mental health professor.
Kitzhaber, who is expected to announce whether he will make another run for Governor, is working to garner support for his health care reform plan.
Kitzhaber and Healey agreed on the need for change in the current system. “With hospital profits at a six year high, pharmaceutical companies drowning in dollars from the new Medicare drug plans and more and more Oregonians losing health insurance coverage– something has got to change,” said Maribeth.
Kitzhaber shared the general structure of his plan, but said he wants to have a conversation with Oregonians to firm up the details.
Kitzhaber’s plan would combine all public health care dollars in the state, including tax breaks employers receive to provide a basic level of health care for all Oregonians. Services would be provided using evidence-based medicine to ensure the most effective use of community health care funds.
Ultimately, Kitzhaber’s plan would require federal approval, but he feels states must apply pressure to convince Congress to enact necessary reforms.
While short on specifics, Kitzhaber’s re-engagement in the public debate over health care has added a new spark. We are encouraged by the media attention and public dialogue around all of the potential initiatives to reform health care. We look forward to continuing the conversation about common-sense solutions to reducing health care costs and increasing access. All of the proposed reforms require legislative involvement, making it even more crucial health care voters get involved in the 2006 elections to ensure a pro-affordable health care majority in 2007.
Call us at 503-655-2793 to learn how you can get involved.
Profile of Bus Project Conference: ‘Ealth Care Takes Center Stage
http://www.oregoniansforhealthsecurity.org/about/monitor/index.cfm
"How long would Microsoft last if Bill Gates held on to a 10-year-old operating system, or one that is 18 months old? But we're holding onto a 40-year-old health-care system and wonder why we cannot meet the health-care challenges of the 21st century.” Governor Kitzhaber (Statesman Journal, 1/6/06)
OHS allies the Bus Project held their biennial conference this past weekend. The group focuses on the 6 E’s– education, environment, election reform, equal rights, economic strength, and our favorite– ’ealth care.
At the conference, OHS Executive Director Maribeth Healey presented common-sense solutions for reforming health care on a panel that included former Governor John Kitzhaber and Tina Kotek from Children First, Mike Bonetto of Clear Choice Health Plans, and Dr. David Pollack, an OHSU mental health professor.
Kitzhaber, who is expected to announce whether he will make another run for Governor, is working to garner support for his health care reform plan.
Kitzhaber and Healey agreed on the need for change in the current system. “With hospital profits at a six year high, pharmaceutical companies drowning in dollars from the new Medicare drug plans and more and more Oregonians losing health insurance coverage– something has got to change,” said Maribeth.
Kitzhaber shared the general structure of his plan, but said he wants to have a conversation with Oregonians to firm up the details.
Kitzhaber’s plan would combine all public health care dollars in the state, including tax breaks employers receive to provide a basic level of health care for all Oregonians. Services would be provided using evidence-based medicine to ensure the most effective use of community health care funds.
Ultimately, Kitzhaber’s plan would require federal approval, but he feels states must apply pressure to convince Congress to enact necessary reforms.
While short on specifics, Kitzhaber’s re-engagement in the public debate over health care has added a new spark. We are encouraged by the media attention and public dialogue around all of the potential initiatives to reform health care. We look forward to continuing the conversation about common-sense solutions to reducing health care costs and increasing access. All of the proposed reforms require legislative involvement, making it even more crucial health care voters get involved in the 2006 elections to ensure a pro-affordable health care majority in 2007.
Call us at 503-655-2793 to learn how you can get involved.
