Government
Former Ore. governor seeks universal care
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Feb. 5, 2007
John Kitzhaber, MD, Oregon's former governor, has proposed the Oregon Better Health Act, which would pool existing health care money to create a fundamental level of insurance for all state residents. The proposed legislation seeks authority from Congress to let Oregon combine employer tax deductions with Medicaid and Medicare funding to pay for a defined set of services.
The state would work with private health plans to provide insurance at rates guided by actuaries. The proposal also calls for a state commission to prioritize health care based on its health benefits.
The measure is a product of the Archimedes Movement, an effort led by Dr. Kitzhaber to create a health care plan based on the input of thousands of Oregonians.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2007/02/05/gvbf0205.htm.
