PORTLAND, OR - The influential activist collective, Portland’s Resistance, released its 13-point healthcare platform today, along with an endorsement of the highly publicized Yes on 101 campaign. “Portland’s Resistance envisions a just society which provides access to health services for all of its members throughout their lifetimes. We’re calling for health care that is culturally competent and individually responsive, recognizing a long history of health-based injustice.” Courtney Rae, Portland’s Resistance Organizing Committee member
The Trump administration’s efforts to cut funding and undermine access to the Affordable Care Act have created a crisis for states looking to provide health care for residents. Portland’s Resistance asserts that approving Measure 101 will secure healthcare access for those at risk of losing ACA coverage in Oregon. People of color and working-class Americans disproportionately suffer from poor health and have far worse access to convenient, affordable healthcare services1.
Measure 101 asks voters whether to approve funding for state costs to provide healthcare coverage for 1 in 4 Oregonians, including 400,000 kids. This funding comes from temporary assessments on premiums collected by insurance companies, administrative costs of the Public Employees' Benefit Board, and payments made to managed care organizations. If passed in January, Measure 101 will stabilize health insurance premiums paid by individuals and families. It is not yet clear what impact Federal congressional actions will have on funding sources for individual state insurance programs.
Portland’s Resistance’s 10-page Healthcare platform covers everything from treatment of incarcerated Oregonians to management of executive compensation; recommending immediate steps toward universal health care and establishing just,equitable healthcare systems. “We’re calling for a reimagining of our healthcare institutions to promote better health for everyone. Health care is a human right and our healthcare system must prioritize the health of people over the profits of owners, administrators, and investors.” Brad Wood, Portland’s Resistance Policy Workgroup member
Portland’s Resistance Healthcare Platform calls for reforms at every level of government. Key components include:
1. Universal, single payer health care available to all people living or working in Oregon
2. Reinvestment in public health
3. Correction of health inequities
4. Healthcare during incarceration
5. Workplace protections for patients using medicinal cannabis
6. Increased access to mental health resources
7. Expand healthcare for workers and the next generation of Oregonians
8. Reproductive health equity
9. Health care that supports all identities
10. Mandated price transparency
11. Ability to negotiate prescription medications and equipment in bulk
12. End skyrocketing executive compensation culture
13. Data collection and outcome transparency
About Portland’s Resistance: Portland’s Resistance is a collective, volunteer advocacy group which formed over a year ago in response to the election of Donald Trump. We envision a future where communities are empowered to create solutions to present day problems using direct action, political advocacy, & community development to inspire new people to get involved in politics and to create a united platform for progressive causes.
1 https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2013/p1121-health-disparities.html
