Landmark New Health Care Reform

With family health care costs projected to double in the next decade, we helped craft and pass a comprehensive new law in 2009 that will cut the cost of health care. The law puts Oregon at the forefront of health care reform by cutting administrative waste, limiting excessive insurance premium hikes and prioritizing preventative care that makes us healthier.

Expanding Public Transportation

Clean, efficient public transportation will improve in Oregon and across the country thanks to an OSPIRG-backed law passed in 2008 that authorizes $13 billion for passenger rail and the next generation of high-speed rail.

Fueling The Young Voter Surge

In the 2008 presidential election, 3.4 million more 18- to 29-year-olds voted than in 2004, resulting in the largest number of young voters on record. The Student PIRGs’ New Voters Project did its part by deploying 80 organizers to more than 100 campuses in 22 states, including Oregon, to help turn out the vote.

Toys Safer In Oregon And Across The Nation

A new state law bans stores from selling recalled toys, and those who violate product safety laws will face stiff fines and penalties after Congress passed a landmark measure. Both measures were championed by OSPIRG in 2008, over the heated opposition of chemical manufacturers, including ExxonMobil.

Holding Elected Officials To Higher Ethical Standards

A new, independent office will police ethical scandals in Congress under a plan endorsed by OSPIRG. Our staff helped make the case for the new Office of Congressional Ethics through a report showing that 23 states have independent panels to enforce ethics.

Keeping An Eye On The Bailout

While Congress was rushing to bail out the financial sector, OSPIRG pushed to make sure government plans to revive the economy didn’t end up lining the pockets of big banks. We continue to shine a light on how the banks are using
our money.

Safer, More Affordable Rx Drugs

With record-breaking profits, drug companies are aggressively marketing their products while covering up the side effects. OSPIRG helps make our medications safer and more affordable. In 2006, we helped win passage of Measure 44 to help Oregon save money on medications. In 2007, the president signed an OSPIRG-backed law that makes drugs safer.

Taking On Predatory Lenders

OSPIRG has taken a lead role in exposing predatory loans, which lenders use to trap people in a cycle of debt. After we helped to cap interest rates, we built on that success by passing four new laws to protect borrowers in 2007.