Where We Stand
Section: Health Care Access
Policy: Universal Healthcare and Health Coverage - 2024
Appendix Y

Universal Healthcare and Health Coverage - 2024

 

COMMENTS:

In 2018, the OMA Executive Committee approved creation of a limited duration task force to address previously submitted policy resolutions regarding universal access to healthcare in Oregon, single payer healthcare, and the provision of universal health care. The Task Force developed recommendations including a position statement and principles around the provision of universal healthcare and recommended adoption in place of policy resolutions. Those recommendations were adopted in 2018 and became OMA policy.

In 2023, the Justice Equity Diversity and Inclusion Committee started its review of all existing OMA policy (Where We Stand), section by section to recommend updates using a lens of equity. Among the policies were the position statement and principles around the provision of universal healthcare.

A limited duration workgroup was assembled, made up of members representing the Justice Equity Diversity and Inclusion Committee, the Legislative Committee, and the Policy Committee. The workgroup was chaired by Policy Committee chair, Dr. Robert Orfaly and JEDI Committee co-chair, Dr. Fred Williams. There were a few members who had been members of the original task force.

There were several reasons why the timing was essential to review, and potentially revise, the principles now, only five years later.

  1. As mentioned earlier, the OMA was reviewing all current policies using an equity lens.
  2. Health disparities, and issues of health inequity, though present earlier, were magnified during and following the COVID-19 pandemic. The weaknesses of the medical system regarding health equity were brought to the forefront.
  3. George Floyd’s death and other events in 2020 amplified how racial injustice contributes to health inequities
  4. Senate Bill 770, passed by the Oregon Legislature in 2019 created a Task Force on Universal Health Care. That Task Force, charged with recommending a universal health care system that offers equitable, affordable, comprehensive, high quality, publicly funded health care to all Oregon residents, submitted its final report in September 2022. OMA wanted its principles to be updated if needed as we respond to the work that comes from this task force.

The OMA Universal Access Workgroup will continue its work following these recommendations by examining the work of the state’s Task Force on Universal Health Care.