Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, April 30, 2025 -- THREE
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A lifeline for
rural Oregon:
Why we need
PBM reform
now
As we celebrate our
family’s 65-year legacy
of serving Morrow, Gil-
liam and Wheeler Counties
through Murray’s Drug,
we’re reminded of the val-
ues that have made our
independent pharmacy a
staple in these rural com-
munities. To us, family
isn’t just our name on the
sign—it’s you, our custom-
ers. Two of our children
are now both pharmacists
and eager to carry on this
legacy, but independents
like us are getting wiped
out by unfair competition
from powerful Pharmacy
Benefit Managers (PBMs).
Without PBM reform, es-
sential healthcare access for
thousands of Oregonians is
in jeopardy.
From our locations
in Heppner, Condon and
Boardman, we’ve built a
network of care that ex-
tends to towns without
pharmacies of their own,
including Fossil, Lexing-
ton, Ione, Arlington, Irrigon
and Umatilla. Our free de-
livery service ensures that
no neighbor goes without
needed medicine, regard-
less of how remote their
home. This personalized
care and local knowledge
are the backbone of our
rural communities, and it’s
hard to put a value on the
relationships we’ve estab-
lished with families and
community members over
the years.
The crisis facing Ore-
gon’s pharmacies is unde-
niable. Since 2008, over
200 pharmacies have closed
their doors due to PBMs’
predatory practices, with
five more announcing clo-
sures this week. This devas-
tating trend affects not only
independents like us but
also large chains. Oregon
now ranks worst in the low-
er United States for phar-
macy access, leaving many
without access to essential
healthcare services. Many
other states have already
taken steps to curb abusive
practices from Maine to
Arkansas to California.
PBMs’ business model
forces us to sell medica-
tions below cost, making
it impossible for indepen-
dent pharmacies to sus-
tain our operations. We’ve
worked tirelessly to adapt,
but the system is increas-
ingly rigged against us.
That’s why we’ve joined
forces with lawmakers like
Senator Wyden and Con-
gressman Bentz at the fed-
eral level to push for PBM
reform for all pharmacies.
Despite this bipartisan sup-
port, Congress has failed to
act. This is why it’s even
more important for leg-
islators in Salem to join
Representative Greg Smith
in leading the effort as a
lead sponsor to pass House
Bill 3212.
House Bill 3212 of-
fers a critical lifeline for
independent pharmacies
like ours. This legislation
acknowledges the vital
role we play in rural com-
munities and provides a
much-needed solution to
the PBM-driven crisis. It’s
not a cure-all, but it’s a
crucial step towards ensur-
ing that healthcare services
remain accessible to those
who need them most.
We urge Oregonians
to contact their legislators
today and demand action
on HB 3212. Our rural
communities deserve better
than to be abandoned by the
very system that’s supposed
to support them. We need
Salem’s help to protect
the heart of our communi-
ties before more essential
healthcare services disap-
pear forever.
As we look to the fu-
ture, we’re not just fight-
ing for our family’s busi-
ness; we’re fighting for the
well-being of our neigh-
bors, friends and communi-
ty members. We’re fighting
for the personalized care
and local knowledge that
make a real difference in
people’s lives. The clock is
ticking, and we need your
voice to make a differ-
ence. Let’s work together
to ensure that rural Ore-
gon remains a place where
healthcare is accessible, and
community pharmacies like
Murray’s Drug can contin-
ue to thrive.
By passing HB 3212,
we can take a significant
step towards creating a
more equitable healthcare
system that values the con-
tributions of independent
pharmacies. We owe it to
ourselves, our children, and
the communities we serve
to take action. The fate of
rural Oregon’s healthcare
hangs in the balance, and
we can’t afford to wait any
longer. Thank you for your
continued support—we’re
in this together and your
voice will make a differ-
ence.
John & Ann Murray
Heppner, OR
Let’s bring
healing back
to the health
district
Over the past 40 years,
I have held various leader-
ship roles within the Mor-
row County Health Dis-
trict, including staff RN,
Chief Nursing Officer, and
Director of Home Health
& Hospice. My experi-
ence encompasses strate-
gic planning, operational
management, and policy
development, all of which
are crucial for guiding the
board’s decisions.
I have consistently
demonstrated a dedica-
tion to improving patient
outcomes through inno-
vative solutions and evi-
dence-based practices. My
work in instituting the Prov-
idence TeleStroke program,
collaborating with Kadlec
cardiology to establish
heart attack protocols for
our emergency department,
and establishing a Medi-
care-Certified Hospice has
led to significant advance-
ments in emergency care
at Pioneer Memorial and
high-quality end-of-life
care for terminally ill pa-
tients throughout Morrow
and Gilliam counties.
I have successfully led
multidisciplinary teams,
fostering a culture of inclu-
sivity and mutual respect.
My ability to build strong
relationships with patients,
healthcare providers and
community leaders ensures
that diverse perspectives
are considered in deci-
sion-making processes.
I am passionate about
advancing healthcare to
meet the evolving needs of
our community. My vision
includes enhancing access
to care, promoting preven-
tive health measures, and
leveraging technology to
improve service delivery. I
am committed to working
with the board to develop
strategies that align with
these goals.
With my background in
healthcare management, a
commitment to patient-cen-
tered care, and a proven
track record of leadership,
I am confident in my ability
to contribute effectively to
the board’s mission.
My goal in running
for Position 2 on the Mor-
row County Health District
Board of Directors is to help
bring healing and cohesive-
ness back to our hospital
and clinics.
Sincerely,
Molly Rhea
Heppner, OR
Please Vote
Carefully
Hopefully, by now,
most of you have attended
or watched a recording of
one of the Morrow County
Health District candidates’
forums that have taken
place recently. I attend-
ed the Heppner Chamber
of Commerce sponsored
forum, which was very
helpful in learning about the
candidates, their vision for
the health district, and most
importantly, their plans and
priorities to get there. If
you were unable to attend
or haven’t yet watched a
recording, I encourage you
to do so. The candidates’
answers to the questions
will tell you what you want
to know.
I was grateful to hear
answers at the forum from
Ann Spicer, Russ Nichols,
Janet Greenup and Jason
Hanna. They were refresh-
ing and hopeful answers
that were spot on, in my
opinion, and they will have
my vote. I was surprised by
answers I heard from Scott
Ezell, Molly Rhea, Donna
Rietmann and Raymond
Seastone. I believe these
are all good people, and I
admire their willingness to
run, but for me, the choices
were clear.
That said, I was im-
pressed by Laura Torres,
who I believe is fairly new
to the area and was just
recently appointed to the
board; however, I believe
Jason Hanna’s lifetime
spent in Morrow Coun-
ty, and his answers about
change, priorities, and tak-
ing the time to utilize In-
terim CEO Dennis Burke’s
expertise to find the best
CEO for the District, is the
candidate we need right
now in that position.
If change for MCHD
is your priority in this elec-
tion, you will need to vote
for like-minded candidates.
If only one or two who want
change are elected, it isn’t
going to happen as three
out of the five must vote in
agreement to accomplish
change.
Right now, the pow-
er belongs to the voters.
Please use it carefully.
Thank you.
Patti Allstott
Heppner, OR
Gunsafe
Some people don’t
like guns. They call them
dangerous and say they
kill things. Let’s get this
straight… No, they don’t
kill people. I’ve been
around them for a long
time and have never yet
seen one get up, walk over
to someone, take aim and
fire a shot. Most the time,
they just sit there looking
cool. Yes, people (and an-
imals) kill, but guns don’t.
Neither do knives, but they
are rarely accused.
Call me crazy, but…I
like guns. There, I said
it. Why do I like guns?
Because they’re fun…and
they provide back straps.
And if you think I have too
many guns, you have never
seen my fabric collection…
or my goats. However, I
wouldn’t mind having a few
more (guns, not goats).
So, if you’ve ever heard
of the Constitution of the
United States, you might
also have heard of the Sec-
ond Amendment. This little
piece of history contains
some very important words:
“A well-regulated Militia,
being necessary to the se-
curity of a free State, the
right of the people to keep
and bear Arms, shall not be
infringed.”
No, this does not mean
you have the right to show
me your bicep tattoo.
It means that We the
People, of which a Militia
is made, should have the ca-
pacity to defend ourselves
from any government that
would harm us. Our free-
dom is based on our ability
to defend ourselves. The
right to bear arms is meant
to give us that ability. But
why would we need guns to
keep us free when we have
our military, police, securi-
ty guards and Security Alert
Home Alarms Systems?
Because we need to protect
ourselves from the possi-
bility of a tyrannical gov-
ernment that would mess
with our right to own and
carry weapons. It’s actually
a pretty simple concept.
One very important note:
The “right of the people to
keep and bear arms” is not
a privilege granted by our
constitution. It is a right
protected by our constitu-
tion. Huge difference.
Some have tried to
complicate our Second
Amendment, ignoring its
original intent. “Nobody is
taking your guns” (insert
eye-roll) has become the
popular mantra. Yeah…
Nobody’s taking them…
they’re just making it ri-
diculously difficult to pur-
chase a gun and acquire
ammunition, making sure
our defense is ineffective.
Are you listening, Oregon?
You can’t defend your-
self against someone (or a
government) if they have a
bazooka and you have a pea
shooter. And poorly-armed
people are just about as de-
fenseless as unarmed peo-
ple. Maybe we should all
acquire bows and arrows.
But then we’d be hearing
about “bow violence,” and
a one arrow per quiver rule.
And it didn’t work well for
the Natives.
But what about school
shootings? Maybe we
should increase school se-
curity and treat our kids like
rock stars. Worried about
murder, rape, sex and drug
trafficking? How about
some definite consequences
for bad behavior, putting
bad guys behind bars…
or deporting them? Evil
starts in the heart, and gun
laws don’t change hearts,
but God does…if we ask.
That’s where we need to
start.
“If my people, who
are called by my name,
will humble themselves
and pray and seek my face
and turn from their wicked
ways, then I will hear from
heaven, and I will forgive
their sin and will heal their
land” (2 nd Chronicles 7:14).
Susie Crosby
Prineville, OR
WCVEDG
supports
our schools
The Willow Creek Val-
ley Economic Development
Group (WCVEDG) sup-
ports the Morrow County
School District bond mea-
sure 25-104.
For over 30 years,
WCVEDG has provided
resources, programs and
grants to businesses, com-
munity organizations and
homeowners in South Mor-
row County. WCVEDG’s
commitment is only strong
when both the public and
private industry make the
same consistent investment.
Support for our schools
creates positive economic
growth. School bonds at-
tract business and industry
seeking a qualified work-
force, and public invest-
ment in education always
strengthens the economic
outlook of our communi-
ties. More immediately,
good schools encourage
our friends, neighbors and
children to return home to
start and grow their own
businesses, support exist-
ing ones, and invest their
time and money in Morrow
County.
As outlined in other en-
dorsements and the school
district bond proposal, over
70 percent of this bond will
be paid for by industry like
Amazon, and residents are
anticipated to pay about 12
percent, with depreciation
in the property tax rate over
time.
For the benefit of all,
WCVEDG encourages all
Morrow County residents
to vote yes on the upcoming
May 20 ballot.
Willow Creek Valley
Economic Development
Group
Your vote
matters for
MCHD
The upcoming MCHD
board election is almost
here. Months ago, I at-
tended my first-ever board
meeting. I wanted to hear
firsthand why our hospital
was losing so many em-
ployees. Why the traveling
doctors and nurses were
here for short time spans.
For the past two years,
I’ve listened to Morrow
County citizens who were
also concerned on what is
happening at the hospital. I
watched hard-working peo-
ple be terminated, some had
their hours cut, and many
relocated. Most quickly
found jobs elsewhere.
Last week I attended
the MCHD forum to listen
and try to understand what
each candidate plans to
bring to the MCHD board.
Weeks ago, I thought that
we were going to elect four
people. I thought, that is
easy. Then I learned mul-
tiple people were running
against each other. And yes,
we are electing four people
(the board consists of five)!
I’m reaching out to our
Morrow County residents
to vote with knowledge,
understanding, reasoning
and honesty. There may
not have been any other
time that your vote is as
important as now. We do
have good candidates. Truly
knowing which candidates
will be able to work togeth-
er on this board is import-
ant. Who has the proven
leadership, experience and
knowledge for our health
care district board?
The future of main-
taining our hospital, all
clinics and much needed
services of the MCHD is
in your hands. Hiring a new
CEO, doctors, nurses and
employees is top priority.
Please cast your vote. All
votes matter!
Susan Hisler
Heppner, OR
Oregon’s
transportation
crisis: Inaction
is not an option
As the mayor of Irri-
gon, I see firsthand how
vital safe and reliable trans-
portation systems are to our
community. From the roads
we drive on to the bridges
that connect us, Oregon’s
transportation infrastruc-
ture is the backbone of
our economy, emergency
response and daily lives.
Yet, our cities’ ability to
fix roads and provide safe
streets remains challenging
with limited local revenue.
The Oregon Transpor-
tation Reinvestment Pack-
age (TRIP-2025) offers
a solution. This legisla-
tive framework prioritizes
safety and improvement,
ensuring every community
benefits from modernized
funding and investments in
multimodal transportation
options. It stabilizes reve-
nue streams and ties fees to
system use.
Under TRIP 2025, 50
percent of the revenue will
go directly to cities and
counties, funding critical
operations and mainte-
nance. This means that re-
gardless of where they live,
every vehicle owner will
see a direct benefit of the
added revenue in your city
and county road system.
This is not just about
fixing potholes or main-
taining bridges—it’s about
protecting lives, support-
ing local economies, and
ensuring Oregon remains
connected and resilient for
generations to come. Wait-
ing for roads and bridges
to collapse is not only irre-
sponsible; it’s dangerous.
Why TRIP Matters:
1. Focused on Safety
-Oregon’s roads are
critical to our economy,
emergency response, and
daily lives.
-Crumbling infrastruc-
ture threatens our economy
and safety.
-Every community de-
serves safe roads.
2. Inaction is Danger-
ous
-Oregon’s primary
funding source—the fuels
tax is outdated!
-Without funding, we
risk: More potholes and un-
safe streets; longer waiting
times for traffic accident
clearance; and so much
more.
-We cannot wait for
roads and bridges to col-
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