LETTER: Health-care policy changes needed at state, federal levels

Published 3:09 pm Wednesday, November 20, 2024

As a former Clackamas County Commission chair, I’ve seen how crucial hospitals are to our communities. However, we cannot afford to take the critical care they provide for granted. The means being clear eyed about the immense financial strain that many Oregon hospitals are under.

Increasingly, the costs of delivering services exceed payments and reimbursements that hospitals receive from insurers and Medicare. Without change, we risk more cut services or even closures as Eugene experienced.

As a former business owner, I know no organization can survive without breaking even. Nearly half of Oregon hospitals currently operate in the red, burdened by high administrative costs and Medicare reimbursements that only cover 82 cents for each dollar of care.

Insurers often deny claims and Medicare Advantage programs can be misused to advantage profits over patients, further jeopardizing the sustainability of hospital operations.

Recently, I turned to my hospital to have knee replacement surgery, and I am grateful for the quality of care received. Hospitals serve patients from all walks of life, providing comfort and acute care especially in emergencies. Preserving this access and level of care for all Oregonians is essential to supporting healthy communities.

However, according to healthcare analysts, eight Oregon hospitals at significant risk of closing, including two in the next few years. This is a red flag warning that must be heeded with urgent action to enact policy changes in Congress and Salem to strengthen our hospitals and protect access to quality care for patients.

Jim Bernard

Wilsonville