Measure 111 makes clinically appropriate, cost-effective, and affordable health care a fundamental right of Oregonians. Healthcare is a right, not a privilege. Affordable health care access must be balanced with funding requirements for schools and other essential services. We urge readers to vote YES to amend the Oregon Constitution to reflect our values.
Major 111 is required now. According to the Oregon Department of Health, health care spending by private consumption in Oregon increased 34% from 2013 to 2019, above the national average. Premiums and deductibles contributed to this. At least 60% of Oregon bankruptcies involve medical debt. Even he, 62% of those earning $100,000 or more a year, suffers from medical bills, according to a data brief from Altarum, a nonprofit research and consulting firm. About a third of Oregonians are skipping or postponing dental care, medical care, and prescriptions because of costs. More than half of Oregonians are concerned about her COVID-19 costs.
Oregon needs a better system. Amending the state constitution to confirm that health care is a fundamental right is the first step towards this. To achieve the values established by passing Measure 111, Congress will determine the state laws that will accomplish this.
Register and vote by October 18th. Submit your ballot to Dropbox or mail it postmarked by 8:00 PM on November 8th.
Rose Hope, Silverton