Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon lawmakers are beginning what’s expected to be a long and tedious debate over health care.

The centerpiece is a 256-page bill that would raise taxes and create a new government agency.  It got its first public hearing Monday.  Salem correspondent Chris Lehman reports.

Advocates say this bill would pave the way for universal health care in Oregon as soon as four years from now.

To get there, lawmakers are considering a plan that would create an entity called the Oregon Health Authority.  

The idea is to streamline all health care functions of state government under one organizational umbrella.  Even lawmakers who support the idea concede it might be a tough sell.  

Tina Kotek is a Democratic Representative from Portland.

Rep. Tina Kotek:  “Unfortunately I think what we’re seeing in the bill is very much like, we’re gonna create a new agency.  I don’t think that’s the goal, but that’s the way it looks right now.”

The bill also includes tax hikes on hospitals and cigarettes.  The money would go towards covering more people under the Oregon Health Plan.  

Democrats failed in their last attempt to raise cigarette taxes but they have a Republican-proof majority this time around.

Online:

Oregon House Bill 2009