On May 1, 2020, Compassion & Choices joined other statewide advocacy organizations in Oregon in issuing a statement expressing deep concern over a proposed affiliation between Providence Health and CareOregon, a health plan that administers both Medicaid and Medicare benefits to state residents.
At issue for Compassion & Choices is Providence Health’s religious restrictions on end-of-life care options, and especially medical aid in dying, as authorized under the state’s 1997 Death with Dignity Act. The law enables capable adults with less than six months to live the option to request a prescription for medicine they can self-ingest to peacefully die should their suffering become unbearable.
Four members of Oregon’s congressional delegation sent a letter to CareOregon’s Board of Directors raising issues about access to certain types of care for patients with Medicaid coverage should the organization partner with the religiously-affiliated provider network.
Providence has long been allowed to put the organization’s religious views ahead of the health and beliefs of patients, limiting access to the full range of care. This is at odds with Oregon values and we are deeply concerned that a merger with CareOregon will only hurt patients with Medicaid who already face barriers to accessing end of life care options.
“Oregon has long been a leader in ensuring that everyone has access to the full range of medical services they need to stay healthy no matter who we are, where we live, or how much money we make,” reads the joint statement.
Compassion & Choices commends Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and Reps. Earl Blumenauer and Susan Bonamici for doing the right thing, and we will continue to work with them and other groups to protect Oregonians’ access to care.
You can read the full text of the statement here issued along with ACLU of Oregon, Basic Rights Oregon, Forward Together, NARAL Pro-Choice Oregon, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon, and SEIU Local 49.
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