Plan maps universal health care

Public testimony on health care bill will start
Salem - Many Republicans are wary of the measure's sweeping changes to cover all

Wednesday, April 11, 2007
DON COLBURN

A revamped proposal to ensure basic health care coverage for every Oregonian draws its first public testimony today before a Senate committee.

The measure, drafted over the past few weeks to blend four overlapping proposals, calls for the most far-reaching changes in Oregon's health care system since the birth of the Oregon Health Plan in 1994.

While the goal of reducing the numbers of uninsured has bipartisan backing, the bill is far from a sure bet to become law. Many Republicans are wary of its broad changes and skeptical about its ability to curb rising health costs.

At a glance:

The bill: Senate Bill 329-2, known as "Dash 2" to show it's the amended version. Its title is Oregon Better Health Act. Chief sponsors are Sens. Alan Bates, D-Ashland, and Ben Westlund, D-Bend.

Why the new draft: It consolidates four proposals: by former Gov. John Kitzhaber, Bates and Westlund, the Oregon Health Policy Commission, and the Oregon Business Council.

The goal: The bill aims to guarantee basic health care coverage for all Oregonians, including the 576,000 uninsured.

What's next: A public hearing will be at 5 p.m. today before the Senate Special Committee on Health Care Reform in Room 50 of the Capitol. Work sessions on the bill start next week. There almost certainly will be more amendments.

No committee vote has been scheduled, but if the bill doesn't move to the Senate floor by April 30, it's dead this session.

What the bill would do: It would set up an Oregon Health Fund, run by a seven-member board appointed by the governor, which would define and finance a basic level of health care benefits for all Oregonians.

It would not entirely replace employer-sponsored coverage. Employers could still offer coverage designed to match their workers' needs.

Where the money would come from: It would come from public and private employer and employee payments, individual premiums and federal matching dollars.

Left out: This bill leaves Medicare alone. Kitzhaber's proposal, which would revamp all public spending on health care, including Medicare, still exists as separate legislation, Senate Bill 27.

Unresolved issue: Eligibility for undocumented immigrants.

Deadline for the bill: The Senate committee has five work sessions before the April 30 deadline for sending the bill to the Senate floor.

Deadlines in the bill: The Oregon Health Trust Board must send a plan to legislative leaders and the governor by Oct. 1, 2008. The plan would go before the Legislature in the next session. With the Legislature's approval, the board would apply for the required federal approvals -- for example, for an exemption from federal Medicaid law.

How many "whereases" in the bill's Preamble: Twenty-five, the last of which says, "Whereas incremental changes will not solve Oregon's health care crisis and comprehensive reform is required, now, therefore . . ."

Bottom line for sponsors: "If we do nothing," Bates said, "we've failed."

Meanwhile: Gov. Ted Kulongoski's Healthy Kids Plan, which would raise the tobacco tax to ensure health coverage for all Oregonian children younger than age 19, awaits action by the Ways & Means Committee.