Health Insurance: Rising Costs and The People
Rising health care and insurance costs are a concern for all Americans. Universal coverage is an option being explored by many states. The presidential candidates are adding their own ideas to the pool. In Oregon a bill passed in the 2007 session pointed towards a universal health care system. A number of principles for a new health care system were set out.
Among the principles was one that said that financing of health care must be equitable broadly based and affordable. A finance committee was set up with people with financial expertise. Recommendations were made to the board in June. Funding by payroll tax was suggested.
In a meeting on July 24, the executive director put forth a Straw Plan. This plan does not mention payroll tax, rather three new taxes – health insurance premium tax, hospital tax and tobacco tax. The woole ideas wasn’t well accepted. A funding scheme is likely to be accepted fast. If the Straw Plan proposals are accepted, the a key funding principle would have been violated
