Oregon May Revive Public Option

April 1, 2010 -- A much debated public option that died amid the creation of a new national health care plan could be brought back to life in Oregon.

Oregon Sen. Alan Bates, D-Ashland, is spearheading an effort to create a state-run health care plan that would provide a public option, paving the way for universal coverage within three to four years.

An amendment to the federal health care plan by U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., created a provision that allows states to enact their own health care program, including the creation of a public option. The provision allows states to apply for a waiver from the federal law as long as the state health plan has provisions for cost containment and improving delivery of services.

After studying Wyden's provision, Bates, a physician who practices in Medford, said he believed the amendment would allow Oregon to expand its progressive health care program, called the Oregon Health Plan.

"We really have a good chance of setting up a public option here," said Bates, who was involved in the creation of the Oregon Health Plan while serving on the state's Health Services Commission, which he chaired for three years. He began serving on the commission in 1989 and continued until resigning to run for public office in 2000.

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