NU Online News Service, Oct. 14, 3:13 p.m. – The American Association of Health Plans, Washington, says the new government-run, "single-payer" health care program now under consideration in Oregon would increase the state's health care costs by at least $2.5 billion, or $600 per resident.
Oregon residents will vote on Measure 23, the ballot initiative outlining the single-payer program, in the Nov. 5 elections.
Advocates say passage of the measure would cut out the portion of state health care expenditures now going to pay for health insurance company and health insurance distributor profits, and make the process for allocating health care resources more democratic.
But AAHP, along with many other insurance and business groups, is opposing the measure.