SEIU leads in health care policy because our members get their health care from all types of health care services in Oregon and thousands of us work directly in health care.

Affordable: We need to take action to rein in the rising health care costs that are straining working families, and employers, across Oregon. While hospital, pharmaceutical, and for-profit healthcare industries collect billions in payments, patients are emptying savings accounts and filing for bankruptcy to pay their medical bills. Oregon has adopted important reforms to address these challenges, including limiting health care cost increases, paying for quality rather than quantity, and reviewing health care business deals before they are finalized, but the work continues.

Accessible: Health insurance coverage has expanded in Oregon to a laudable degree. This is due in large part to the state’s implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Now only about 6% of Oregonians lack access to health insurance, a historic low. While we must maintain and advance Oregon’s uninsured rate, we must also draw attention to the underinsured rate—those that have insurance but cannot afford to use it. We also must seek solutions for those who may have insurance, but are unable to find a provider or the services they need in their community.

Equitable: It is clear that our healthcare system does not work for many Oregonians, including women, people of color, LGBTQ+ communities, immigrants, and working families. This extends beyond affordability and into differences in quality of care receive and discrimination in available services.