Lane County Commissioners voted to support a Single Payer Solution before Multnomah county making them the first public entity in Oregon to officially endorse a single payer solution to America's/Oregon's moral and economic health care crisis. Congratulations Lane county. Particular praise goes to commissioners Bill Dwyer and Pete Sorenson. Both supported the single payer Oregon Community Health Care Bill (see below). Far sighted, concerned for the common good, courageous and political leaders in the best sense of the word Bill and Pete are two of Oregon's finest. Bravo and thanks.

Send words of encouragement here:

AFSCME District Council 75 - http://www.afscme.org/directory/181_366.cfm

Amalgamated Transit Union Local 757 - http://www.atu757.org/welcome.htm

American Federation of Teachers Local 5017 - http://www.aftnw.org/

Democratic Party of Lane County - http://www.dplc.org/officials.htm

International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees - http://www.iatse-intl.org/home.html

Lane County Commission - http://www.co.lane.or.us/

Multnomah County Commission - http://www.multco.us/portal/site/MultnomahCounty

Newly Enlightened Oregon Legislators ???????

Newly Enlightened Members of Oregon's Congressional Delegation ???????

Oregon Academy of Family Physicians - http://www.oafp.org/DigestofCongressOAFP2009.htm

Oregon Education Association - http://www.oregoned.org/site/pp.asp?c=9dKKKYMDH&b=123024

Oregon Federation of Nurses & Health Professionals - http://www.ofnhp.com/?view=home

Oregon Nurses Association - http://oregonrn.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=173 

Oregon Teamsters Local 206 - http://unionsforsinglepayerhr676.org/news_releases/2008-11-18

Pacific Green Party of Oregon - http://www.pacificgreens.org/cat-get-involved/contact-us/

State Council of Machinists (IAM) - http://www.iamdl24.org/

U.S. House Republicans (13) - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/31/13-republicans-voted-to-a_n_249026.html

All 90 Oregon legislators, the governor and all of Oregon's congressional delegation remain adamantly opposed to a single payer solution to America's/Oregon's moral and economic health care crisis. Many of the groups mentioned above have contributed significantly to the election campaigns of these legislators. Now would be a good time to remind these elected officials that the next Oregon primary is a scant nine months away.

Where Are Oregon's Farmers?

Oregon farmers work in a hazardous occupation. If they can get health insurance it is extremely costly for them and those that may work for them. This is especially true of small family farms. So how is it that not one grange nor farmer's organization has stepped forward to support a single payer health care solution?

Where Is Oregon's Business Community?

Oregon businesses should be in the business of providing goods and services NOT health insurance. Providing health insurance to employees is NOT in the interest of business. So how is it that not one chamber of commerce nor business organization (Association of Oregon Industries, Portland Business Alliance, Portland/Eugene City Clubs, North Portland Business Association et. al., [Nike, Intel, Tektronix, OHSU, Addias, New Seasons, Fred Meyer, Safeway etc.]) has stepped forward to support a single payer health care solution?

If Oregon farmers, businesses, cities, counties, school boards et. al. don't speak up and get on the record BEFORE the U.S. Senate reconvenes in September it may be too late to influence the debate.

If Oregon farmers, businesses, cities, counties, school boards et. al. don't speak up and get on the record BEFORE the U.S. Senate reconvenes in September they will, by default, be supporting the status quo which makes them part of the problem NOT the solution.


Richard Ellmyer

**************************************************************

February 8, 2009

Dear House Speaker Hunt and Senate President Courtney Et. Al.:

The current legislative debate over health care reform in our state does not include our view that the profit oriented private health insurance industry must not be the model upon which a solution to Oregon's moral and economic health care crisis should be based and that Oregon elected officials - public employees - voters and taxpayers must have EQUAL ACCESS to the SAME LEVEL of health care NOT a perpetuation of our current multitiered health insurance CLASS system.

We request that you find a place holder bill in each chamber which would substitute in its entirety the language of the Oregon Community Health Care Bill (see attached) so that an alternative choice may be discussed and debated this session. The Oregon Community Health Care Bill is the only current fully formed piece of proposed legislation which supports our vision of health care reform. We would welcome others that also meet our requirements.

Thank you for your attention.


Sincerely,

Richard Ellmyer - Oregon Community Health Care Bill author 2007

Sam Adams - Portland City Council 2007

Jeff Cogen - Multnomah County Commissioner 2007

Edwars "Chip" Enbody - Hubbard City Council 2007

Darrell Flood - Mayor of Lafayette 2007

Bill Hall - Lincoln County Commissioner 2007

Jim Needham - Mollala City Council 2007

Michelle Ripple - Wilsonville City Council 2007

Mary Schamehorn - Mayor of Bandon 2007

Pete Sorenson - Lane County Commissioner 2007

John Frohnmayer - Former candidate for US Senate 2008

Tim Grimes - Staton City Council 2008

David P. Trott - Mayor City of Umatilla 2008

Bill Dwyer - Lane County Commissioner 2008

Dan K. Cummings - Ontario City Council President 2008

Mark Camra - Toledo City Councilor 2009

Don Porter - Mayor of Long Creek 2009

Thomas Bradley - Long Creek City Council 2009

Fred Drake - Long Creek City Council 2009

Alvin Hunt - Long Creek City Council 2009

[Copies of this letter were sent to all members of the 2009 Oregon Legislature]