Lane County Checkup on Healthcare
Linda Lovick
50plus Magazine
If you’re like me, you probably know someone who’s waited a long time for a medical appointment or procedure, had to travel to obtain the right care, or simply couldn’t afford it. Attendees of Eugene’s second Citywide Healthcare Forum on March 1st shared those realities, and near-unanimous worry about access to healthcare.
The forum was designed to share what the $3.2 million Lane County Innovative Healthcare Program (the initiative) meant for Eugene, Springfield, and Lane County. It was presented by the Eugene Healthcare Coalition, whose vision includes protecting healthcare services and stopping for-profit takeover of local medical care. Our local NAACP hosted the Forum’s companion Health Fair, featuring many health-related volunteer opportunities.
Closure of the downtown Eugene emergency room in 2023 led to House Bill 4136 and, ultimately, the initiative. The March forum featured presentations and a lengthy Q&A session from the following expert panelists.
Local Officials
Eve Gray – Director of Lane County Health and Human Services. Gray has responsibility and oversight for an array of public health and direct care services. Initiative funds she manages have enabled organizations to increase urgent care, telehealth, crisis counseling, and primary care outreach services.
JoAnna Kamppi – Eugene-Springfield Fire Department EMS Battalion Chief. Kamppi described using initiative funds to add a daily ambulance, and an alternative response unit (coming in April) to reduce pressure on River Bend Hospital ER and costly fire engine 911 responses.
State Officials
James I. Manning, Jr – Senator District 7. Manning discussed Universal Healthcare Coverage and the appointment of its Governance Board, tasked with crafting a prototype program to present to the Oregon Legislature by September 2026.
Lisa Fragala – Oregon Representative serving central and southern Eugene. Fragala is supporting legislation to address the lack of restrictions on corporate ownership of healthcare services. Another piece asserts that medical care should be between provider and patient, without for-profit interests controlling healthcare decisions.
Advocates and Providers
Amy Fellows – Member, Universal Health Plan Governance Board. Fellows is working with many committee members to develop what amounts to a state nonprofit insurance program. Financing this epic endeavor is the biggest challenge, amongst many complex issues such as eligibility, staffing, and transition.
Valdez Bravo – President, Healthcare for All Oregon and Deputy Director of Multnomah County Public Health. Bravo is passionate about eliminating corporatization of healthcare in Oregon.
Matt Calzia – registered nurse and member of Oregon Nursing Association which was instrumental in passing the Oregon Staffing Law. This legislation codified nurse:patient ratios. Calzia continues to fight for nurse representation on hospital Boards.
Recently higher-level cuts to healthcare services are causing fear and uncertainty, reflected in many attendees’ questions. These Lane County efforts make a difference for meeting local short-term healthcare needs and state-level efforts affect us all.
The panelists echoed each other in outlining preparations at all levels, which can only be solidified if and/or when cuts take place. They also unanimously called for citizen action to support their efforts.
What you can do
1 Make a call.
Call the Capitol Switchboard 202-224-3121 to be directed to members of Congress.
Leave a message at the White House Switchboard 202-456-1414.
2 Send an email.
https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/FindYourLegislator/legsearch.html
This site is very helpful; entering your address brings up your legislators and email addresses.
3 Learn More / Volunteer /
Forum presenter: eugenehealthcarecoalition@gmail.com
Health Care for All Oregon: https://www.hcao.org/
Local NAACP who convened the Forum’s partner Health Fair : https://naacp.org
What to say?
Calls or voicemails to members of Congress or the White House can be as simple as “Pledge to preserve Medicare, (or Medicaid, or Social Security). There is no replacement for that support.”
Messages to state-level representatives might be: “I support HB4130. Corporate ownership of healthcare services is very bad for the health of my family and my community.” Or, “I support SB951. For-profit corporations should not control healthcare decisions.”
There is cause for optimism, and everyone can help. As Valdez Bravo said, “Oregon has done big things in the past.”
Everyone can help do big things for the future.
Follow the Governance Board progress at: https://www.oregon.gov/dcbs/uhpgb/pages/index.aspx