Health Care Reform Town Hall

Health Care for All Oregon (HCAO) invites Oregonians from every corner of the state to participate in a series of Town Halls this April, featuring members of Oregon's Universal Health Plan Governance Board (UHPGB), and discussing the universal health care plan the Board is currently designing. Running from April 8 through April 26, the events will bring together community members, local leaders, and the very Board members with the herculean task of designing Oregon's path to universal health care. These events give the public an opportunity to ask questions, share concerns, and learn about a transformation that could affect every Oregon family.

Talk to the people making the plan! Speakers include:
Amy Fellows, Universal Health Plan Governance Board Member
Mary Lou Hennrich, Universal Health Plan Governance Board Member
Senator James Manning, District 7
Hannah Bishop, Health Care for All Oregon, Lane County
Matt Calzia, RN, Oregon State Board of Nursing Member
Jensina Hawkins, UHPGB Communications Committee Member

Oregon is the only state in the nation with a constitutional amendment guaranteeing health care as a fundamental right of every resident. Now, the state is working to make that constitutional promise a reality.

Created by the Oregon Legislature, the Universal Health Plan Governance Board is developing a comprehensive plan to finance, administer, and transition Oregon to a Universal Health Care system covering every resident. The Board is on track to deliver that plan to the Legislature in September 2026. Legislators will take up the recommendation in the 2027 session, and Oregonians may be able to vote on those recommendations as early as 2028.

The data supports that change is needed now. One third of social crowdfunding campaigns are requesting donations for medical costs. Medical debt is still the number one cause of bankruptcy in America. Health care costs continue to rise, and insurance coverage doesn't always mean access to care. Oregon prides itself on having a high rate of coverage, yet people are still suffering. These Town Halls are an opportunity to learn what a different future could look like, and to be part of building it.

What Oregonians Can Expect at Each Town Hall

Each event will feature a member of the Universal Health Plan Governance Board, local community leaders, and a speaker from Health Care for All Oregon. Attendees will hear about a proposed system modeled on a single-payer framework. The plan that HCAO advocates for is one with no copays, no deductibles, no medical debt, and free choice of providers. Participants can submit questions in advance and share their questions in person the day of their local Town Hall.

All events are free and open to the public. Registration information is available at hcao.org.

About Health Care for All Oregon

Health Care for All Oregon (HCAO) is a nonprofit organization that educates about and advocates for an equitable, affordable, comprehensive, high-quality publicly funded universal healthcare system. This kind of healthcare transformation will improve the lives of individuals, families, and communities across Oregon and throughout the United States.

About the Universal Health Plan Governance Board

The Universal Health Plan Governance Board was established by the Oregon Legislature to design a universal health care plan so that everyone in Oregon can access the high-quality, equitable health care they deserve. The proposed system is designed to be simpler, more affordable, and more sustainable, cutting costs for families and businesses while building a healthier, more stable future for the state.

Category: Community