HCAO – Joint Task Force on Universal Health Care
Oregon Legislative History

Joint Task Force on Universal Health Care

A single-payer system is possible, will provide better care to more people, and will save money.

JTFUHC Final Report — September 2022

HCAO – Joint Task Force Body
3 Years
The Task Force spent three years doing critical research and analysis, culminating in a blueprint for universal health care in Oregon.

The current journey for universal health care in Oregon was officially started in 2019 with the creation of the Joint Task Force on Universal Health Care. That body spent three years doing its critical work, ultimately leading to the blueprint for the currently operating Universal Health Plan Governance Board.

Senate Bill 770 (2019) created Oregon's Joint Task Force on Universal Health Care (JTFUHC) and was signed by the Governor on July 23, 2019. Senate Bill 428 (2021) extended the time for the Task Force to do its essential work, with the report due September 30, 2022.

Oregon's Joint Task Force on Universal Health Care completed its work and submitted its report in September 2022. Their final report included a concept plan showing that a single-payer system is possible, will provide better care to more people, and will save money. The report included recommendations for next steps and a timeline.

The immediate next step they recommended to achieving quality, affordable, universal, single-payer health care in Oregon was to create the Universal Health Plan Governance Board. That Board was then formed with SB 1089 in 2023 and is currently in operation, designing the official recommendations for universal health care legislation.

Reports and Resources
About the Joint Task Force on Universal Health Care Overview of the Task Force, its members, and its mandate
JTFUHC Final Report Summary A concise summary of findings, recommendations, and next steps
JTFUHC Full Report The complete report submitted to the Oregon Legislature, September 2022
Legislative History

Senate Bill 770 (2019) created the Joint Task Force on Universal Health Care with bipartisan support and was signed into law on July 23, 2019.

Senate Bill 428 (2021) extended the Task Force's deadline, giving it the time necessary to complete its research and produce a thorough, credible final report.

The Task Force submitted its final report in September 2022. The Oregon Legislature then acted on its recommendations, passing SB 1089 in 2023 to establish the Universal Health Plan Governance Board.