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Published 12:40 pm Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Health-care policy changes needed at state, federal levels 

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

Another frivolous lawsuit looking for quick payday

Tabitha Jensen, former chief of staff for Vega Peterson, is suing the county. Gosh, it seems like this type of thing is a weekly occurrence. When will the city and county fight these frivolous lawsuits to conclusion. That’s the only means that will stop former employees from putting their hands (and their lawyer’s) in our public pockets for a quick payday.

S. Scott Pakel

Southwest Portland

(Editor’s Note: Jensen claims that she was retaliated against after raising concerns about how Peterson’s office handled public records requests.)

Act now to help feed hungry Oregonians 

In the wake of the decisions made on the federal level, we’re going to see an increase in houseless individuals in Oregon and families needing immediate access to crucial resources. For so many families in our city, the increase in basic needs costs will cut into decisions over affording rent or food each month.

Local community organizations play an indispensable role in tackling hunger, homelessness, and poverty. They provide immediate relief and support. And they also offer something deeper: a sense of belonging and solidarity in the face of hardship. Local community organizations help create networks of care, build resilience, and empower people to advocate for the changes that will ensure no one is left behind.

As the community organizer with Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon, my hope is that for the next four years, our state bands together to ensure that no one goes hungry and we can focus our efforts on building a more resilient system that does not depend on constant push and pull of federal funding.

Now is the time to strengthen the fabric of our community by supporting those organizations that are doing the vital work of feeding, housing, and advocating for Oregonians. Whether it’s through donations, volunteering, or checking in on your neighbors, every action matters. Do what you can, where you can. Your community needs you.

Charlie Krouse

Southeast Portland

Stop meddling in Kroger-Albertson merger

As a young Black man living paycheck to paycheck, I feel the strain every time I shop for groceries or pay my bills. Inflation has made it harder and harder to keep up, and the rising cost of food hits especially hard.

After the election, it’s clear that people across the country are demanding solutions to ease these burdens. That’s why it’s so frustrating to see the Oregon Health Authority interfering with the Kroger-Albertsons merger, a move that could make life even harder for families like mine.

This merger is more than a business deal; it’s a chance to keep groceries affordable in neighborhoods that desperately need them. Without it, Albertsons could close stores, leaving communities without nearby options for food. For someone like me, who can’t afford to drive across town for groceries, this isn’t just inconvenient, it’s devastating.

Kroger’s plan to keep 62 stores open and lower prices with a $1 billion investment would help ease the burden for people struggling to make ends meet.

Blocking this merger risks driving prices higher, reducing competition and making groceries even less accessible for working families. We’re already stretched thin. What we need now are solutions that create stability and affordability, not more uncertainty.

The election was a call for change, and this merger is part of the answer. OHA needs to step aside and let this deal move forward, so families like mine can have one less thing to worry about.

DeMarco Owens

Northeast Portland

Fewer grocery stores means fewer choices, higher prices

Becoming a father has changed how I look at everything. Every decision I make now revolves around my family, how I can provide for my child, keep us secure, and prepare for the future. But with inflation driving up the cost of everything, especially groceries and essentials like formula, it feels like I’m constantly walking a financial tightrope.

That’s why I’m so concerned about what happens next with the Kroger-Albertsons merger. For families like mine, it’s not just a corporate deal, it’s a chance to protect access to affordable groceries at a time when we need it most. Without this merger, Albertsons could be forced to close stores and lay off workers, leaving neighborhoods without reliable options for food.

We’re already paying 10-12% more for groceries at Albertsons compared to Kroger stores. But Kroger has committed to investing $1 billion to lower prices and keep 62 Oregon stores open under new management. That’s the kind of stability families like mine need right now.

Blocking this merger would only make life harder for Oregonians. Fewer stores mean fewer choices, higher prices, and longer drives to get the basics. As a parent, I can’t afford to see that happen.

We all want to build a better future for our kids. Supporting this merger is a practical step toward keeping groceries affordable and ensuring families like mine can thrive, even in challenging times.

Austin Day

Gresham

OHA steps out of line to interfere with merger

As a young African American man working to build a future, I see every day how rising costs—from rent to groceries—are making life harder for families in our communities.

The recent election sent a clear message: affordability and stability must be priorities. That’s why the Oregon Health Authority’s (OHA) interference in the Kroger-Albertsons merger feels out of step with what Oregonians need right now.

This merger is more than just a business deal; it’s an opportunity to protect affordable groceries in neighborhoods that can’t afford to lose them.

Without it, Albertsons could be forced to close stores, leaving families without reliable access to food.

Kroger’s commitment to keep 62 stores open under C&S management and invest $1 billion to lower prices offers stability at a time when it’s desperately needed.

Instead, OHA is putting up roadblocks that could lead to higher prices, fewer grocery options, and greater uncertainty for communities already feeling the pinch of inflation.

At a time when every dollar matters, we need practical solutions to bring relief—not unnecessary interference.

The election was a wake-up call to address affordability and ensure people can move forward.

Supporting this merger is a step in the right direction. It’s time for OHA to focus on its core mission and allow this deal to provide stability and relief to Oregon families.

Timothy Kamp

Troutdale

Blocking merger would lead to layoffs, store closures

After this election, one thing is clear: inflation and rising grocery prices are hitting us hard, especially young people trying to get by. As a millennial who juggles rent and saving for the future, I’ve felt the squeeze every time I shop for groceries. But it’s not just me—it’s families in my neighborhood and all over Oregon. That’s why the Kroger-Albertsons merger matters so much. It’s not just a corporate deal; it’s about keeping food accessible and affordable for people who are already struggling.

Albertsons has been on shaky ground for years, and without this merger, we could see store closures in communities that can’t afford to lose them. For some families, this isn’t just inconvenient—it’s catastrophic. Blocking the merger could lead to layoffs and fewer options for groceries, forcing us to pay even more. Kroger, on the other hand, has a plan to preserve these stores and transition 62 locations to C&S management, ensuring that grocery options don’t disappear.

Inflation and economic uncertainty have been tough on everyone, but especially those in underserved areas. Supporting this merger is a practical way to protect jobs and keep food accessible. It’s a chance to stabilize something that’s become too unpredictable in recent years.

This isn’t about siding with big corporations—it’s about making sure our communities have what they need to survive and thrive. Let’s choose stability and affordability when we need it most.

Conrad Rosenberger

Troutdale

Supporting this merger means supporting working families

After the recent election, inflation and rising grocery costs have remained at the forefront of everyone’s minds. As a young Black teacher in Portland, I’ve seen firsthand how these economic pressures hit families in underserved neighborhoods the hardest.

For the students and parents I work with, every dollar spent on food or essentials comes at the expense of something else. That’s why the Kroger-Albertsons merger is more than just a business transaction—it’s a necessary step to protect grocery access in communities that already face too many barriers.

Albertsons has struggled financially for years, and without this merger, many of their stores could close. In neighborhoods where grocery options are already scarce, this isn’t just inconvenient—it’s devastating. If the merger is blocked, those closures would lead to job losses and force families to travel further or pay more for basic necessities. Kroger has committed to keeping stores open and bringing stability by partnering with C&S to manage 62 Oregon locations, including familiar names like Piggly Wiggly.

For communities like mine, this merger represents hope for stability during uncertain times. Inflation has already stretched families to the brink. Losing affordable grocery options would only deepen the crisis for those who can least afford it.

Supporting this merger means supporting working families, preserving jobs, and ensuring neighborhoods like mine have the resources they need to thrive. Let’s move forward and prioritize access to affordable groceries for all.

Keauna Cobb

Northeast Portland