Representative Mitch Greenlick had the following to say upon bipartisan passage of HB 2009 and HB 2116 today:

"With passage of HB 2009 and HB 2116, Oregon is taking the next step to reform our outdated, inefficient health care system.  As Governor Kulongoski signs these bills, we will turn many of the good ideas put forward by the Oregon Health Fund Board into reality.  We will also ratify the visionary leadership of Senator Alan Bates and Treasurer Ben Westlund, who started us down this path back in 2005.

“It is an incredible achievement to insure 80,000 children without health insurance today, as well as tens of thousands of low-income adults.  This reform package is the signature accomplishment of this session.

"This moment is merely the end of the beginning for health care reform in Oregon, as the reform package will put progress in motion.  The hard work yet to come from the Oregon Health Policy Board and Health Authority will begin to bring cost containment to bear on the ever-increasing price of health care.  I am very excited to work with the Board and Authority to ensure that every Oregonian has access to affordable and effective health care.

"I am so proud of Oregon for deciding to take a huge leap forward on health care.  I want to thank the many, many advocates and leaders who worked long and hard to bring such an advancement on this difficult issue."

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