Oregon Better Health Act is now Oregon State Senate Bill 27

Submitted by JennSramek on February 28, 2007 - 5:09pm.

Oregon State Senator Betsy Johnson (of Scappoose) introduced the Oregon Better Health Act today at the request of the Archimedes Movement (www.wecandobetter.org). The bill, which would allow the state of Oregon to seek exceptions from the federal government to use federal and state dollars in a way that makes more sense in addressing rising medical costs.

The bill would:

  • Ensure that all Oregonians have access to the "core benefit" of essential health services.
  • Define this core benefit through a transparent process that prioritizes health care that is effective at producing health.
  • Confront the underlying federal structure that must be changed to allow for a sustainable health care system that controls costs and is based on health care realities of today.

    This bill represents the first step for Oregon (and hopefully other states to follow) in the process of declaring independence from a health care system that does not work, and comes with astronomical costs. Introducing the bill in the Oregon State Senate represents a major milestone for the Archimedes Movement, as well as for the state of Oregon, and paves the way for other states to follow suit on the precedent if it is successful.

    Read more:

    http://www.wecandobetter.org/learn_more/The_Oregon_Better_Health_Act