A task force made up of Oregon state legislators and healthcare representatives is moving forward with a plan to establish a $57 billion single-payer healthcare system administered by the state.
The task force released a draft report Sept. 12 detailing the state and federally-funded plan that would eliminate premiums, co-pays and deductibles. Personal income and business payroll taxes in the state would be raised, and no employer would be required to purchase coverage.
Oregon payers have voiced major opposition to the plan as it would largely eliminate the role of commercial health coverage, though they would be allowed to offer supplemental plans.
In a July letter to the task force from Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield, Kaiser Permanente, PacificSource, Moda Health and Providence Health Plan, the group wrote the plan "attempts to do too much, ignores significant legal and financial challenges and has no precedent of success in the United States."
Public comments on the draft plan are being accepted until Sept. 19. If lawmakers approve the plan next year, it will be put to a referendum for voters to decide, according to The Lund Report.
Read the full draft report here.