Oregonians Vote on Single Payer Health Care
Oregons are voting by mail from now until Nov 5, 2002 on Initiative 23, a measure to create a single payer system in the state. Organizers are still doing last minute fundraising, and could use your support. If you'd like to contribute to this historic effort, go to www.healthcareforalloregon.org.
The full text of the measure, and both pro and con arguments, are on line at the state's elections division at www.sos.state.or.us/elections/nov52002/guide/measures/m23.htm.
In PNHP's opinion Health Care for All Oregon has already won because of the tremendous job local activists - of all ages and from all walks of life - have done in educating Oregonians about reform. More work may be needed to counter the influence of the powerful special interests, but Oregon is off to an incredible start, and could become the first state to implement a single payer system!
We look forward to working with activists in Oregon and all over the country until health care is a right all across the land. Salud!
http://www.sos.state.or.us/elections/nov52002/guide/measures/m23fav.htm
Also see "Economics at heart of Measure 23 debate," from the Bend Bulletin, and "Universal health care hinges on cost," an article by the Courant.