Health Care News

EUGENE—Over 100,000 Oregon children 18 and under suffer the daily consequences of being uninsured, including paying the highest prices for prescription drugs. According to a new Families U.S.A report released today in Eugene by the coalition supporting Measure 44 – Prescription for a Healthy Oregon, 92 percent of Oregon’s uninsured children come from a household with at least one working parent.

“It’s an outrage that 92% of our children lack health insurance and their parents are working,” exclaimed Maribeth Healey of Oregonians for Health Security and Yes on 44. “This is just one more reason to Vote Yes on Measure 44 in November.”

Measure 44 is the only health care reform measure to qualify for the November 7 general election. If passed, it will lower prescription drug costs for the one million Oregonians who don’t have drug coverage, including well over 100,000 children.

“Measure 44 cuts prescription drug prices, plain and simple,” said Chief Petitioner Senator Bill Morrisette. “It leverages the buying power of consumers to negotiate lower prices with the drug companies.”

Jerry Cohen, co-petitioner on the measure and AARP-Oregon state director, agrees. “It works a lot like Costco, but without the membership fees. The more people who join, the more everyone saves.”

The program is already established with a proven track-record. It delivers up to 60% lower drug prices, and pays for itself. The Fiscal Impact Statement filed with the Oregon Secretary of State indicates there is no additional cost to taxpayers.

“No matter what your age, it is a bad time to lack health insurance,” said Laura Etherton, consumer advocate with Oregon State Public Interest Research Group, “With prescription drug prices rising faster than the rate of inflation, Measure 44 comes at the right time to help cut costs.”

A recent OSPIRG report, Paying the Price: The High Cost of Prescription Drugs for Uninsured Oregonians, examined the prices uninsured consumers pay for drugs commonly used by people under age 65, including drugs that are approved for children, such as certain antibiotics, thyroid treatment, and allergy medication.

The OSPIRG survey foundconsumers lacking drug coverage pay 61% more on average than what the federal government pays for the same drugs, and pay over twice as much as they would at Canadian pharmacy. For example, compared with prices at a surveyed Canadian pharmacy, uninsured Oregon children pay 136% more for Allegra, an allergy medication, and 312% more for the hypothyroidism medication Synthroid.

Key findings in the Families U.S.A report include:

• 92 percent of Oregon’s uninsured children live in working families.
• 9 percent of Oregon’s children under the age of 6 are uninsured.
• Uninsured children are nearly five times as likely as insured children to have at least one delayed or unmet health care need, including access to prescription drugs.

About Yes on 44 – Prescription for a Healthy Oregon
Yes on 44 – Prescription for a Healthy Oregon is supported by health care, consumer, business, faith and labor organizations. The Chief petitioners are Senator Bill Morrisette and AARP-Oregon State Director, Jerry Cohen. For a full list of supporters visit: www.YesonMeasure44.org or call 888-322-6613.

About The Campaign for Children’s Health Care
The Campaign for Children’s Health Care is a non-partisan coalition consisting of more than 50 national organizations representing children’s, health care, and consumers’ advocacy organizations, along with groups representing doctors, nurses, teachers, parents, religious affiliations and labor. www.childrenshealthcampaign.org