The Advocate’s CitySpeak Forum for this Thursday has added a second set of panelists, making it a double feature, so to speak. The first hour is slated for District Attorney John Haroldson and Youth Justice Project Director Trevor Walraven (an ex-convict himself) to discuss criminal justice reform in Oregon.
A new half hour has been added for Warren George and Karen Christianson to discuss recent polling that shows Oregon Republicans would favor universal healthcare in the state. The same poll shows 62% of Oregonians would likely vote for a separate healthcare tax, so long as it’s smaller than their current premiums.
George, a Republican, commissioned the poll, conducted by Elway Research, which one of only six pollsters in the country to achieve an A+ rating from fivethirtyeight.com. George notes, “This is about as unified an opinion, across party lines and other demographic categories, as you will ever see in America.”
Christianson, Mid-Valley Health Care Advocates Chair, and a now retired attorney, will also present and field audience queries.
The Numbers
Elway included registered voters in all of Oregon’s House districts, and matched party distribution in the state: 35 percent Democrat, 25 percent Republican, 40 percent other.
- 62% of Oregon voters would probably or definitely vote for a separate health tax so long it’s generally smaller than what they’re paying now for premiums and out of pocket expenses. Voters believe employers should continue to contribute into the system in about the same amounts as they do now. Voters also desire the new system provides health care for everyone.
- 75% of Oregon voters see universal healthcare as a desirable solution to high costs and other problems with the healthcare system. However, unlike previous national polls, Oregon voters are significantly more supportive of a public healthcare system.
- 81% identified healthcare costs as a major problem for individuals, governments, and businesses.
- 70% of voters identified other concerns, like the current system’s unnecessary complexity, and medical bankruptcies.
CitySpeak Forum Schedule
Slated for Thursday, January 23 at Old World Deli…
- 6:30 pm… Criminal Justice Reform in Oregon
- 7:30 pm… An Oregon Future for Universal Healthcare
For both panels, time is allotted for an audience Q&A session. CitySpeak is presented in a partnership between City Club of Corvallis and The Corvallis Advocate. Attendance is free.
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