Single Payer Health Care-General Meeting

The League of Women Voters of Portland will welcome Dr. Samuel Metz and Dr. Paul
Gorman to their December General Meeting to learn about the single payer option for
the national health care program and the State of Oregon health care system. Dr. Metz and Dr. Gorman are leaders in the Portland Chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program.
Physicians for a National Health Program is a single issue organization advocating a
universal, comprehensive single-payer national health program. Since 1987 PNHP has
advocated for reform in the U.S. health care system. The organization has more than
18,000 members and chapters across the United States.
Health Care Reform has been the top priority of the League of Women Voters of the
United States during both the 2009 and 2010 Congress. The League’s national position states that “The League believes that quality, affordable health care should be available to all U.S. residents. Furthermore, the League believes that all Americans should have access to a basic level of care that includes the prevention of disease, health promotion and education, primary care, acute care, long-term care and mental health care.” The LWVUS has testified before Congress, developed background papers on health care issues, written articles for publication, developed podcasts and video presentations, and written letters and delivered testimony throughout the 2009-2010 health care discussion.
The League of Women Voters of Oregon is working with a coalition of single-payer
advocates developing legislation that would work in conjunction with the state’s ongoing efforts to form a health insurance exchange. The U.S. Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act gives states the ability to continue working toward cost-effective health care while retaining access to federal funding.