The first three days of school have come and gone. I am back to teaching after spending much of the summer working on policy for the 2009 legislative session.

It was a pleasure to see so many of you at the Global Warming Town Hall I held with Congressman Earl Blumenauer and State Representative Jackie Dingfelder a couple of weeks ago. It is an issue that matters a great deal to me and obviously to many of you, too. Nearly 20 people spoke, many of them standing in line for more than an hour at the microphone for their turn. Speakers asked us to prioritize energy efficiency, to consider the health impacts of global warming pollution, and to oppose the proposed I-5 bridge, along with many other suggestions. We heard from folks who asked us to move faster to address global warming, and we heard from global warming skeptics who suggested we should do nothing at all. If you have thoughts about these or other issues related to climate change, feel free to email me by clicking reply.

Along with global warming, perhaps no other issue demands such immediate, systemic, and comprehensive state-level action as our health care crisis. Insurance premiums are up more than 90% since 2000, and double-digit annual increases are forecast. More than 600,000 Oregonians lack any coverage at all, including 114,000 children.

In 2007, I was a member of the committee that put together Senate Bill 329, laying out some parameters for reform and calling for the formation of the Oregon Health Fund Board. The Board has been meeting since last summer to create a plan for a better health care system in Oregon. The Oregon Health Fund Board has released its draft recommendations.

At this point, the Board is traveling the state to gather feedback from Oregonians on their recommendations. Below you'll find their two Portland meetings. If you're planning to weigh in, I would encourage you to read the aims and aspirations of SB 329, read the OHFB's report, and consider whether the OHFB proposal moves quickly enough to (a) expand coverage and (b) lower costs through realigned financial incentives and delivery system reform.

Monday, September 8 from 6:30-9:00 pm at the Oregon Convention Center (777 NE MLK Blvd, Portland)

Tuesday, September 30 from 12 noon-5:00 pm at the Kaiser Interstate Town Hall (3704 N. Interstate, Portland)

You can also email comments to: ohfb.info@state.or.us.

Finally, I am still seeking folks to join me in volunteering at the Lents International Farmers Market on September 28th. Please click here for more information.

Best wishes for the new school year and season,

State Representative Ben Cannon
1125 SE Madison, Suite 100B
Portland, OR 97214
rep.bencannon@state.or.us
http://www.repbencannon.com
(503) 236-3351

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