Support low-cost health care

Nearly 1 in 4 Oregonians struggle with medical bills and delay or avoid care due to the cost. HB 4035 will move us towards a state-based marketplace, allowing the state to adhere to a plan that sets the stage for a public option for health insurance. With a public option, we can lower costs and offer better choices to Oregonians. Urge state lawmakers to pass HB 4035 this year so we stay on track to reach a public option.

Subject: Act on OHA's public option implementation plan in 2022

Your Letter:

I'm writing to ask you to support the creation of a public health insurance option for Oregonians by authorizing state agencies to create a state-based health insurance exchange.

A state-based marketplace gives Oregon the flexibility it needs to reduce costs, enroll more people, and improve the quality of health care by operating around and responding to state-specific needs. For example, premiums for health insurance offered on the federal marketplace have increased 77% in Oregon since 2013. A state-based marketplace can pursue cost-reduction strategies that are currently restricted by federal law. As recommended by the state's public option implementation plan, this includes providing a low-cost, high-quality public health plan that will create more choice for Oregonians shopping for health insurance and, in the long run, help bring down inflated health care costs for everyone.

Other states that have passed a public option, like Washington, Colorado and Nevada, already have state-based marketplaces, which provide tools and information to make a public option more successful. Oregon should too.

I urge you to support the state's implementation plan for a public health insurance option in our state by authorizing our transition to a state-based marketplace.

Sincerely,

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