Co-Chairs and members of the committee, we all want affordable, quality health care for everyone. But as Dr. Spiers noted, political fixes in health care come unfixed fast. They came unfixed for The Oregon Health Plan, and I believe they will come unfixed for any single payer plan as envisioned in HB 3510.
The better chance for a lasting fix involves empowering patients rather than marginalizing them. It involves giving them choices, and letting them do the rationing themselves, even if part or all of the money comes from public sources. I look forward to your questions.
* “Handbook on State Health Care Reform”, John Goodman et. al., National Center for Policy Analysis,
2007, www.ncpa.org/email/State_HC_Reform_6-8-07.pdf
** “Socialized Medicine in Great Britain: Lessons for the Oregon Health Plan”, Professor John Spiers,
March 18, 1999, Cascade Policy Institute, www.cascadepolicy.org/pdf/health_ss/spiers.htm
