Oregon Columnist Urges Bipartisan Outreach to Address Medicaid Cuts
In an Oregon Capital Chronicle commentary, the author argues that despite Democrats retaining the governorship and expanding legislative majorities in Tuesday's elections, Oregon still faces the same funding challenges, including federal Medicaid cuts under HR1. The author cites estimates of a $421 million Medicaid cut in the 2027-29 biennium and $838 million in 2029-31 unless Congress amends the law. The piece also cites a $55 million boost from the September economic forecast and rising costs from wildfires and transportation infrastructure. The author urges Gov. Tina Kotek and the 2027 Legislature to pursue genuine bipartisan, statewide outreach modeled on the 2017 transportation funding process, rather than the approach used for the 2024-25 package, to build public confidence in addressing these challenges.