It is more clear than ever that the current American healthcare system has failed us. That's because 30 million Americans don’t have any health insurance, with even more underinsured, and that was before our most recent pandemic. Even for those with insurance, costs are so high that medical bills are the number one cause of bankruptcy in the United States. Surprisingly, we spend significantly more of our national GDP on this inadequate health care system—far more per person than any other major country. And despite doing so, Oregonians have some of the worst health outcomes and a higher infant mortality rate than other countries that spend much less on health care. We must demand better.
When we create Oregon-Wide Healthcare, a state-payer, regional health insurance program to provide everyone in Oregon with comprehensive health care coverage, free at the point of service. With no networks, no deductibles, no copays, and no surprise bills. Additionally, this will provide coverage to be expanded and improved to include: dental, hearing, vision, and home- and community-based long-term care, in-patient, and out-patient services, mental health and substance abuse treatment, reproductive and maternity care, and prescription drugs. These prescription drug prices many Americans face is practically highway robbery. So we need to address this problem here as well as nationwide because no one, no matter your financial situation you should not have to worry about the price of your own health.

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Here is what we must do to combat the pharmaceutical industry:

• Cover all prescriptions at 100% under Oregon-Wide Healthcare. Prescriptions are part of healthcare, and healthcare is a human right. Your income should not affect whether you receive the appropriate treatment prescribed to you.

• Pressure the federal government to void all patents issued for pharmaceuticals; federally prohibit private ownership of healthcare-related intellectual property.

• Cut prescription drug prices in half, with the Prescription Drug Price Relief Act, by pegging prices to the median drug price in five major countries: Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Japan.

• Allow patients, pharmacists, and wholesalers to buy low-cost prescription drugs from Canada and other industrialized countries with the Affordable and Safe Prescription Drug Importation Act.

• Allow Oregon to negotiate with the big drug companies to lower prescription drug prices with Oregon's Drug Price Negotiation Act.

• Fight to nationalize pharmaceutical production.