Single-Payor System Finds Support in Oregon

Oregon healthcare advocates, medical professionals and lawmakers are developing a grassroots campaign pushing a single-payor healthcare system for the state, according to an article from The Lund Report.

According to the report, Rep. Mike Dembrow (D-Portland) introduced legislation for a single-payor system during the 2011 session. The legislation received a courtesy hearing in the House Healthcare Committee but never came up for a vote. Rep. Dembrow says he will not introduce a similar bill when the Legislature convenes next month but may reintroduce legislation during the 2013 session.

According to the report, private insurance companies in Oregon would be the biggest obstacle to creating a single-payor healthcare system. The companies would go out of business if the state moved to a single-payor system, making it highly unlikely that insurance companies would support the legislation.

Advocates believe implementing a single-payor system in Oregon might be easier than in other states because large employers such as Intel and Nike are already self-insured, as well as Providence Health System and Kaiser Permanente.

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