Debate SB 27 in Public
by Rick RayJune 22nd, 2007 at 17:13:12
In the words of French writer Joseph Joubert, “It is better to debate a question without settling it, than to settle a question without debating it.”
On Friday the Oregon legislature decided to settle the question of comprehensive health care reform without debating it. We were informed this afternoon by Representative Mary Nolan that the Democratic legislative leadership has decided to kill SB 27 – the Oregon Better Health Act – by not granting it a hearing or work session. Although the legislature is not expected to adjourn until next week, this decision will effectively prevent an open debate on the policies embodied in the Oregon Better Health Act in the final days of the session.
» Contact your legislators right now
This should not be acceptable to anyone – certainly to no one who truly values a legitimate public process. This is Oregon, after all, a state that prides itself on open government. If the Democratic leadership has concerns with the bill, those concerns should be discussed in an open hearing – one in which the public can participate – not behind closed doors.
SB 27 was extensively amended on April 30 to address the stated concerns of the AARP. That was almost two months ago. Since then it has not been granted a single public hearing to allow those who support and those who still oppose the bill as amended to place their views and concerns on the record for consideration by the Legislative Assembly as a whole and by Oregonians at large.
Through the Archimedes Movement process, literally thousands of people from all over the state have worked hard to create and improve SB 27. At the very least it deserves a public hearing, thoughtful consideration and the chance to be decided on its merits.
» Contact your legislators right now. Let them know that this issue deserves to be decided by the Legislative Assembly as whole in an open, public process.
June 24th, 2007 at 5:49 pm
Here’s a copy of the message I sent to legislative leadership, my own reps in the Eugene area and to letters-to-the-editor sections of the following newspapers: Eugene Register-Guard, Oregonian, Statesman Journal, and the BlueOregon blog comments section…
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I’m astounded. Legislative leadership won’t allow a public hearing on SB 27! What the…?
(SB 27 is the Health Care reform measure proposed by former Gov. John Kitzhaber
and the “We Can Do Better” coalition.)
Oregon Legislative leaders have crippled the democratic process with this action. Citizens deserve to know on the record exactly which corporate special interests are opposing SB 27!
House and Senate elected leaders:
You must NOT stifle debate on this critical health care reform measure.
You must not stumble under pressure from big pharma and medical insurance
giants.
Problem corporate interests include the multinational pharmaceutical and out-of-control insurance companies, but also AARP’s profit-making subsidiary which sells health insurance. AARP has strongly opposed SB 27. Most voters are unaware of that fact.
Legislators: Don’t allow your honor to be shamed by the greedy and the powerful.
Convene a hearing. Let supporters and opponents of SB 27 come forward in a balanced legislative hearing to present testimony. You owe this to the people of Oregon.
Extend the legislative session if necessary.
Don’t close the doors on democracy!