Past Events

A February 26, 2025, town hall in Corvallis focused on the implementation of universal health care in Oregon, culminating decades of Oregon innovation and improving access to Healthcare for Oregonians. In 2022 the effort was boosted by the passage of Measure 111 amending the Oregon constitution to declare health care as a right for Oregonians.

Emcee Marisabel Gouverneur introduced panelists Bruce Goldberg MD, John Santa MD and Mary Lou Hennrich RN, who discussed the challenges and progress of the Oregon Universal Health Plan Governance Board. They highlighted the need for a single-payer system to reduce costs and improve access, emphasizing the potential savings of $1 billion annually. The panelists discussed administrative efficiencies and cost containment achievable with a single-payer system and the impact of federal Medicaid changes. The importance of public engagement and bipartisan support was underscored, with calls for volunteers and advocacy efforts to ensure the successful implementation of the plan. The panelists acknowledged the need for a preventive, simpler system. They noted the complexity of current provider reimbursement, particularly the disparity between Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial plans. Dr. Santa highlighted the financial implications of normalizing payments, potentially shifting revenue from certain provider institutions to others. There will be “winners” and “losers” in the medical industrial complex, but patients and communities will be winners. The meeting concluded with thanks to co-sponsors and a call for donations, emphasizing the ongoing effort for universal health care in Oregon.