Where We Stand
Section: Health Care Access
Policy: Medically Needy

Medically Needy

OMA should support component societies in assuming leadership roles in the development of creative and innovative approaches for providing medical services to the medically needy, including the support of private local initiatives which attempt to assure the availability to quality medical care of the medically needy.

OMA should commit its staff and committee resources to constructively participate in public initiatives analyzing the current reimbursement system for welfare recipients with the continuing goal of providing the best quality medical services for Oregonians regardless of their ability to pay.

OMA should address proposals such as vouchers, co-payments, tax credits for medical services, private health insurance for welfare recipients and equitable financial system to pay for medical services.

OMA endorses the findings and recommendations of the Governor's Commission on Health Care, which includes the following statement of mission and recommendations:
The state of Oregon has an obligation to ensure access without excessive burdens to an adequate level of health care for all Oregonians. This obligation should be balanced by people's obligation to provide for their own needs.
Adopted at the annual House of Delegates, 1982.
Revised at the annual House of Delegates, 2011.


It is OMA policy that society has a covenant to see that those who are uninsured have access to basic health care.
Adopted at the annual House of Delegates, 2003.

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