The Clackamas print., January 31, 2018, Page 3, Image 3

NEWS
3
BY JARED PREBLE
THE CLACKAMAS PRINT f t
As of Jan 24, Measure 101 has taken effect
with a large margin of those in favor. For
some, they can kick back and breathe a
sigh of relief knowing that their health
care is covered for the next few years. For
others, a headache brews in preparation
for the strife this bill might inflict on the
citizens of Oregon.
Today, Oregon is staring down a
billion-dollar hole that it needs to fill if
it wants to keep its high percentage of
insured citizens. That’s where.Measure
101 kicks in.
This all started back in March 2010,
when former President Obama signed
into law the Affordable Care Act. This
is the primary reason why the number
of Oregonians that have some form of
health care package has risen so greatly.
Now, roughly one in four Oregonians
have some form of health care. This is
because Oregon is one of the 33 states
that chose to expand Medicaid back in
2013. The Oregon Health Plan is Oregon’s
Medicaid program. Part of the deal with
the plan was that the government would
pay slightly less of the large health care
bill, meaning the states that expanded
their individual plans would have to
pay slightly more of the percentage left
unpaid by the government each year until
2019.
Last year, a bill was passed that would
get Oregonians the money they needed.
The bill states that health care providers
as well as a number of insurance policies
will have an added tax. Hospitals would
pay 0.7 percent of their revenue while
insurers and other providers would have
to pay 1.5 percent.
The tax. would last until 2019 after
which Oregon would have to find the
m oney all over again. But to some,
a temporary fix is better than none.
Hundreds of organizations, even those
who would have to pay the tax, saw sense
in the bill and agreed to follow suit.
Shortly after the bill passed, a small
party of Republicans objected to the bill
and asked for a petition in order to ensure
that This was what the voters wanted.
Thus, the special election for Measure
101 took place though plenty that are
opposed to the bill.
Sandra Breuer is an intake specialist
with the Clackam as County Housing
Authority. She said that Measure 101 will
only raise the cost of health care.
“ Eventually, sooner, rather than later,
it’ll increase the costs of the plans and
services, while simultaneously decreasing
A ccord ing to Preston Drew s, a
the availability of services for these low- Clackamas Community College student
income demographics,” said Breuer.
that stays involved with local politics, he
She also believes that those that felt that the marketing for Measure 101
imposed this bill fell short in considering was misleading and biased.
how this would impact those purchasing
“ The media’ s portrayal of Measure
healthcare.
io i was one sided,” said Drews “ It
“ The legislators that proposed this solely displayed the positive side of
bill are fiscally irresponsible and they’re the measure, but everyone ignored the
placing their irresponsibility on health negative outcomes that will result in­
care professionals who have no way to direct tonjunction with 101’ s passing.
maintain a healthy profit margin without Those commercials are irresponsible,
raising the cost of care for these low (thought it is our responsibility, as
income people and fam ilies, who the voters to research these things and stay
bill was supposed to help in the first informed,) and don’t represent both
place,” said Breuer. ;
sides of the coin.”
Regardless of the implications that
Now, the only option for m ost
the bill might have, there are still a large Oregonians is to wait and see how this
number of those that are happy with their plays out. If the bill runs its course
health care going relatively untouched. 'without stepping on too many feet it
A survey of CCC students was conducted might return to finish out the pay cycle.
shortly after the bill passed regarding If the general consensus is negative, then
their thoughts on the issues resolution. lawmakers will have to find an alternative
Of the 70 Students and faculty surveyed, way to get the money Oregon needs
47 percent said they were very pleased for its health care budget. Either way,
with the outcome while 35 percent were Oregonians must unify to ensure that
only somewhat pleased with its passing. its citizens stay in good health.
Only 4.3 percent of students surveyed
Victoria Durling contributed to
said that they were not at all pleased,
this story.
with the outcome.
— A survey o f 70 Clackamas Community College students and faculty resulted in the below statistics regarding Measure 101.
HOW FAMILIAR ARE
YOU WITH MEASURE 101?
HOW PLEASED ARE YOU WITH THE
OVERWHELMING YES VOTE ON 101?
4.3%
VERY MUCH
HOW MUCH HAS IT IMPACTED YOU SINCE
IT WENT INTO EFFECT?
4.3%
SOMEWHAT
NOT AT ALL
graphic by Alexis Wagar
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January 31, 2018