Oregon’s Measure 23
Wow, now I really want to move to Oregon. Measure 23, if passed, would enact a single-payer state-wide comprehensive medical insurance program with zero point-of-service fees. Citizens would be free to visit any licensed doctor or specialist. The current government spending (out of general taxation) would cover one third of the expected costs, with the remainder payed by employers and a personal tax on taxpayers. Depending on income, the personal tax would range from 0% of income (for those making 150% or less of the federal poverty level) to 8% for the wealthiest. One’s personal contribution will never exceed $25,000 (this is relevant if you make more than $312,500 per year which, um, I don’t.) On the state level, total personal taxation for these benifits will not exceed 3.9% of total personal income. This means that the average personal expenditure will be less than 4%, although I do not have a sense of how this cost would be distributed across the population.
It looks like good legislation. It looks like it can pay for itself. From a personal perspective, Jennifer and I already pay roughly 2% our combined income for our portion of employer-paid health insurance, and another 2% in co-pays for prescription drugs, office visits, etc., and that is before I count in my hospitalizations required in 2001 ($150 apiece) and emergency room visits ($30 apiece.) Even if our contribution had to double, or even triple, it would still be worth it to ensure that everyone in the state has health insurance.
I have read arguments for and against this measure, and really wrestled to see from the conservatives’ perspective, but still weighs in for me as overwhelmingly positive. Thoughts? Join the discussion page.
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