I believe everyone deserves access to reliable, affordable healthcare. 

A recent Oregon Health & Science University study found that when people with diabetes or other chronic conditions lose access to healthcare, their health gets worse. Managing chronic illnesses takes regular checkups, medication adjustments and consistent treatment. When that care is interrupted — whether because someone loses insurance, changes jobs, switches providers or simply can’t afford coverage — the consequences can be serious.

Too many people are forced to navigate insurance changes every year, often paying more for plans that cover less. Healthcare shouldn’t depend on where you work or how much you can afford.

That’s why I’m encouraged by the work of the state Universal Healthcare Governance Board, which is developing a single-payer healthcare plan for Oregon, with a plan expected to be ready in September. The goal is simple: make healthcare affordable and accessible for everyone by removing the profit-driven insurance companies from the middle of the system.

If you’d like to learn more, check out Healthcare for All Oregon. More Oregonians are getting involved because they believe healthcare should be a right, not a privilege.

Grace Ogden-Parker
Creswell