It’s time to build a health system that is affordable, accessible, efficient and makes sense to everyone who uses it.
The current health care system is broken.
We need a system that can take care of us now and serve future generations. Health is not just the result of medical care – it is also the result of taking care of our bodies, our minds and the environment around us. » Why do we have this problem?
We Can Do Better at getting health out of our health care dollars.
We don't have to start from scratch; we have great expertise in this country to learn from. We have to start by asking “what do we need in order to achieve better health, and how can we design a system that actually gets us there?” » What framework can we use for reforming the system?
Our current health system is complicated and confusing.
We should be able to understand how our tax dollars are being spent, how to navigate the health system and how decisions are made. People who need help should get their needs met in a way that is timely, effective, affordable and easy to understand. » How can we move forward to change?
There are some Oregonians who need more help.
There will always be people who need more help. Children in Oregon are an example - we have to find a way to ensure the health of Oregon's next generation. The homeless, mentally ill, and people in poverty need our help also, as do Oregonians who were raised in different cultures or speak languages other than English. Today, Oregon's network of safety net clinics and providers meet those needs. To truly improve health our systems should be clear, easy to understand and accessible to everyone. » What is the safety net?
We already have a system of "universal access" to health care – it's called the emergency room.
When Oregonians without coverage need care, that's where they go - often waiting until they are very sick. If we were going to design a point of universal access we'd pick something more cost effective and efficient, allowing emergency room staff to do what they are trained to do - respond to real emergencies. » Who pays for this inefficient system of access?
Our work is just beginning - The Archimedes Movement is a grassroots movement that includes everyday Oregonians who believe that We Can Do Better.
The US health care system is broken and Oregonians have the power to fix it. We can create a new system – one with a clear and simple goal: health.
» Get Involved
Watch Health Care for the 21st Century: a Call to Action, the video presentation by John Kitzhaber
Tip: You can download this page as a printable PDF using the link below.
