Oregon hopes to once again take the lead in implementing progressive policies—this time by being the first state in the nation to roll out a universal, or “single-payer” healthcare system.
For the past two years, the 20-member state-appointed Oregon Joint Task Force on Universal Health Care—comprising four legislators, public officials, tribal members, and healthcare and community advocates—has been outlining the details of a system in which all Oregonians would be covered by a health insurance plan funded by new individual income taxes (up to 15 percent for high earners) as well as a new payroll tax paid by employers….