Readers Respond: Here's how universal health care could affect Oregon households

Your Oregon News asked readers how health care affects their households.

This comes after a new state board could put Oregon on a path to radically reshape its health care system, ensuring universal access and removing financial barriers for patients—or it could be the latest state-backed effort exploring universal health care without success .

Many readers expressed concerns over costs, and choices for quality care.

Of readers who responded, about 46% said they support exploring universal healthcare. About 35% said they support changes; while 22% said they don’t support universal healthcare; 10% are undecided; and 4% do not want changes.

According to our readership, about 46% purchase their own private health care insurance; 42% are on their workplace’s provided health insurance plan; 12% are on public health insurance such as the Oregon Health Plan; 5% are on their spouse’s private insurance plan; and 3% have no health insurance at this time.

About 11% of readers said they hold medical debt; while 8.5% of readers have a household member in medical debt; and 83% of readers said they have no medical debt right now.

Here's what Your Oregon News readers have to say about how universal health care would affect their families:

Cons:

“We need more information on where the funding will come from and what the cost for tax payers will be as opposed to paying for insurance myself.”

“I think it will cost us many more tax dollars, making it difficult to stay in our home. I also think it will bankrupt our state. No government officials should not be allowed to make this decision to give everyone universal health care. It didn’t work for California either.”

“It should reduce need for private coverage, but might reduce level of care.”

“It would increase our taxes and likely not improve health. People are healthier, mentally and physically when they work. Those that are physically, unable to work, have opportunities to work from home. Those that cannot work at all due to illness or other situations to qualify for disability.”

“Universal healthcare would definitely limit my options; I like the accountability of a private insurer. If I don’t like it, I can go somewhere else universal healthcare prevent this.”

“It would make healthcare harder because I’m privileged to have excellent coverage with an employer. The impact for me would be seeing the poorer, less fortunate in my community having health care which would improve their quality is life. I don’t want to be rich in a poor society. I’d rather be poor in a rich society.”

“It would probably raise our taxes and we are on a fixed Social Security income.”

“Since Obama care health care has diminished, the quality of healthcare has declined. With universal healthcare costs through taxes would increase, services would further deteriorate and people would be left waiting for all kinds of care more so than at present. Those who can afford healthcare insurance have seen their costs escalate as more and more as costs transfers have increased for the insured as their premiums pay for the uninsured.”

“Now we have a plan with a very high deductible. It is $7,000 per person ($14,000 per family) and it is still very expensive. We pay all our health care out of pocket and I am delaying things I know I should do. I don’t call it health insurance, I call it save your house insurance.”

“I pay $800 a month for my personal health insurance and every time I get a primary doctor, they move on. It took me over there months to get my last doctor. Universal health care would just make it worse.”

“I like my doctor and don’t have wait long to get appointments. My coverage is good and not that expensive.”

“Universal Health care has shown in country after country to increase actual cost through taxes, reduce access to care through increased demand, and decrease quality of care through rationing and waitlists. This will end up destroying the state budget through increased costs. Oregon is already on a race to the bottom in regards to business, education, and taxes.”

“I’d pay more taxes, and my healthcare would be options would be worse. Under Obamacare, taxes rose for healthcare, my options declined, and my out of pocket costs rose considerably, over $10,000 a year for employee share. Government has proven they will make things worse and make whatever the service cost more to those who work and pay taxes.”

“It would take away right of choice.”

"I would not be able to access doctors as necessary.”

“It would be harder to get quality care.”

“Putting the ACA has increased the cost of health care and reduced quality and access. I never trust the government to run anything.”

Pros:

“It’s long overdue. It would streamline the process we go through via healthcare.gov and give us better access statewide instead of being limited to Eastern Oregon.”

“Would save us $700+ per month. Allow everyone to be covered equally I hope. Not having the middle class pay for the poor to be better insured than them.”

“I would be able to retire early, instead of having to work until I am 65 and eligible for Medicare.”

“We are unable to retire as we need the health insurance offered through my employer.”

“If we had UHC, we would have greater healthcare options and not be bound by capricious insurance company decisions.”

“I'd expect more consistent healthcare costs year by year, regardless of illness or health.”

“Household members with insufficient coverage and funds could get the care they need. There's also an overall benefit to everyone if we reduce the role of greedy, predatory corporations in delivery of essential care.”

“We would seek healthcare earlier, reducing the load of chronic disease.”

“I wouldn't be paying nearly $400 a month for my health insurance, which is not amazing. I would be more inclined to go to the doctor when I am hurt.”

“Healthcare is our largest expense Any possibility of reducing our cost and creating better access would absolutely be helpful.”

“Medical costs are outrageous and out of control. Many other countries have moved to some sort of universal healthcare.”

“Look at Canada.”

“If nothing else, it likely would make healthcare expenses more predictable.”

“it would lead to better overall health, end avoiding treatment because of worry about costs, and keep all families from crippling debt and bankruptcy.”

“It would deconfuse Medicare plans and coverage.”

“It wouldn’t affect our personal household, but we believe that all people have a right to healthcare regardless of their socioeconomic status. As a healthcare provider, I expect to see patients able to address health issues before they become serious and are attached to catastrophic costs.”

Personal takes:

“I like my Medicare Advantage Plan with Kaiser Permanente. If I would lose any benefits due to a new Oregon based universal health care plan I would be disappointed.”

“Ultimately, it will result in total dependence on the Oregon Health Authority for my and wife's healthcare. The right to private provision of healthcare untaxed and impinged by the state of Oregon must be preserved for better health outcomes.”

“My sibling and I could stop worrying constantly about becoming homeless due to medical debt.”

“Workplace insurance has been hard, as job changes mean insurance changes, which means doctor changes. Plus, we've had tons of billing issues with these changes, care is still expensive, and we have multiple family members going through these changes all at once. We've had to change three times in four years, and it's been exhausting without improving our medical care at all.”

“It's impossible to answer this without details of the program. Universal coverage is useless without the capacity, for instance. My spouse and I both have chronic health issues that can be expensive to monitor and control. Waiting lists for preventive care under the current systems are an issue that could be made better or worse with UHC. Ensuring healthcare workers can earn a living (but not exorbitant) income and aren't worked to the point of burning out should be a priority.”

“It wouldn’t affect my household, but we have always had health care paid by employer or out of pocket. As a nurse I worry and communicable diseases that aren’t treated and could spread into the general population. My assumption is that it would allow mental health treatment that is sorely lacking. It’s concerning that the knowledge of health is only shared to those that can pay. The amount paid by drug companies on tv is staggering and why? A lot of the diseases are not experienced by a lot of people but a select few.”