Candidates Health Care Forum Sheds Light on Contributing Factors and Issues

The group's members say they want to know what is working and what is not working as they sought factual feedback on results of healthcare issues.

(SALEM) - Healthcare is important issue with upcoming elections. Who’s going to pay and who’s going to get healthcare seem to be the prevailing questions.

By the time I arrived at this forum at the First Congressional Church, the audience had already broken up into smaller groups to discuss with each candidate the relevant issues of concern. Basically the discussion of costs prevailed as the group discussed many of the issues of concern.

One subject is non-profit organizations behaving as for-profit organizations. Another is the rising cost of prescription medications and the correlation between drug companies changing the drug name, advertising, and then raising the cost.

The group discussed the costly hospital emergency room being the only source of medical help because so many people have no insurance. The salaries of healthcare individuals were also a strong topic as is the rising number and age of baby boomers, the generation born just after WW2. Corporate kickers that go out of state are also viewed as a contributing factor.

Citizens proposed resolutions for the candidates to think about as they went from group to group. They included more open public hearing when fees need to be increased, preventative care, change of priorities in healthcare system and a change in tax structures

After the separate groups were attended by each candidate, they were given an opportunity to address a question presented by the group leader. Candidates present were Democratic challenger Brian Clem and Republican Billy Dalto from House District 21 and Democrat Betty Komp and Republican Jared Thatcher for Senate District 11. Each had a chance to address specific concerns. Below is an overall review of their responses and feelings:

Jared Thatcher believes the driving force behind the rising health care costs is illegal aliens who are receiving free medical help from the state. He stated he would make sure our legal citizens were taken care of first. He also stressed he was not in favor of a Universal Health Care system.

Betty Komp feels a new healthcare system should be funded; she suggested the state pool resources from within and from other states. She stated there are no simple solutions, but that the legislature needs to learn to work together better. She is for more personal responsibility and feels more preventative measures need to be taken. More leadership is needed to show the way and says a vision needs to set for a pathway to lower health costs.

Billy Dalto is a firm believer in the Oregon Health Plan, but does feel it is unfair that uninsured citizens end up paying more for health benefits and costs than those who are covered by a health plan provided by a large company who can afford the group coverage. He also stated government is not the solution to everything. He said Oregon’s economy is growing and more dollars will be put in the general fund for the state to have more money for healthcare plans. He feels people need to take more personal responsibility in providing healthcare plans for themselves.

Brian Clem: He is in favor of universal coverage and feels there is a need for healthcare costs to be subsidized. He also thinks the Archimedes Plan being presented by former governor John Kitzhaber is a good plan for setting the way for universal coverage. He favors not giving corporate kickers and that corporate taxes need to be raised. No more gifts should be received by legislatures from lobbyists. (A good round of applause was given at this statement!) His focus is on the working people and he stressed that voters need to really look at the candidates and understand what they are standing for and how much they will be willing to work for the public’s needs.

Basically, the overall feeling I got from this forum is that Oregonians are very concerned about healthcare and healthcare costs. They want to know what is working and what is not working and want to be given factual feedback on results of health care issues. They also want a system of accountability for “kickers” given to corporations. Healthcare for children was of great concern and should be given a priority.