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Published 10:05 am Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Congressional help needed to protect old-growth forests

I want to express my gratitude to Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley for their strong support of the National Old Growth Amendment (NOGA). NOGA will provide consistent direction to conserve and steward old-growth forest conditions on National Forests, a necessary response to rapidly changing climate conditions. I have spent years advocating for Oregon’s rivers and outdoor recreation landscapes and I know how critical NOGA is to preserving our state’s iconic land and water.

Oregon’s old-growth forests are more than just scenic treasures. They provide the pristine water that flows through our rivers, sustains wildlife, and serves as natural classrooms for all who visit. These forests are essential to Oregon’s outdoor recreation economy, supporting businesses like river outfitters, guides and local tourism.

In a time when wildfires and drought increasingly threaten our natural environment and communities, NOGA’s focus on wildfire resilience and climate change adaptation is vital. Protecting these ancient ecosystems ensures they remain resilient, not only for the health of our forests but for the health of our economy. Visitors from around the world come to experience Oregon’s wilderness, and preserving these forests is critical to securing the future of Oregon’s outdoor recreation industry.

Now is the time for federal leaders to finalize NOGA. Doing so is an investment in Oregon’s future—its economy, environment, and the adventures waiting in our wilderness. Thank you, Sens. Wyden and Merkley, for your leadership in safeguarding Oregon’s natural heritage.

Priscilla Macy,

Damascus,

former executive director of Oregon Outfitters Guide Association, former member of the Governor’s Task Force on the Outdoors.

COVID was an awaking

With the presidential election behind us, we can all be grateful it’s “time for change.” Whether you embrace the events or believe it’s the apocalypse, the truth is things are going to change. And thank God for that.

Being a life-long Democrat who was converted during COVID, I admit there was a tear shed on election night, because of my love for this country and for being awake to the cancer currently metastasizing in our society.

The big lie called COVID was the last straw for me to see what happened to the political party I once loved when JFK and RFK were anointed rebels.

What our government did to families, businesses and society, was enough for me to say, “That’s enough. This isn’t right.”

Now I see the division and deceit of the crimes against humanity exacerbated by COVID. I see the ugliness and glorification of gender and race division, mutilating lost children, child-trafficking and the mainstream media constantly lying to us, while implementing tools of fear to control us.

We all must look in the mirror and ask ourselves honestly what these factors mean to each of us. We must face the truth about the evils in our country that have been covered up by deranged illusion, of a man most people are willing to take a chance with, if not truly believe in.

Ken Hopstad

Milwaukie

Federal legislation would improve medical billing

As a person with terminal cancer who has a limited income, it is important that billing for healthcare is fair, transparent and predictable. This is being endangered by the rampant growth of hospital consolidations. Over 70% of small doctor practices have been acquired by large hospital systems and that turns them into Hospital Outpatient Departments and instead of the old rate there is a usual increase of around 14%.

Oregonians should not foot the bill for these corporate takeovers. We should pay the same rate for care no matter where we get it. I don’t want to have to worry that these corporate machinations may turn a routine doctor’s visit into something I can’t afford. No cancer patient should have to skip the health care that they need because costs have skyrocketed.

Congress has two opportunities to take action before the end of the year. The Facilitating Accountability In Reimbursement Act [FAIR] in the House and the Site-based Invoicing Transparency Act [SITE] in the Senate will create site-neutral payment reform requiring hospitals to charge patients based on service not location.

I hope U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden and the rest of our state’s federal delegation will take action on this important legislation.

Mark Sturbois

Southeast Portland