On average, health insurance rates have skyrocketed nearly 5 times faster than Oregonian's wages over the past eight years.

Now more than ever, Oregon families and businesses are struggling under the weight of rising health care costs. Premiums in Oregon have risen nearly five times faster than wages in just eight years. Regence just received approval of more than a 14% increase in premiums, after raising rates 26% last year. That’s an increase of 40% in the last two years. Something has to be done. Oregonians can’t wait any longer. We need to make an investment now to enact real health reform and deliver direct cost savings to Oregonians.

Oregonians need accountability for rising health insurance rates. HB3145 stands up to skyrocketing health insurance premiums and establishes fair rules to protect Oregon families and businesses from excessive rate hikes. It is critical to take steps to boost accountability on health insurance costs as part of health reform this session. Please support HB3145 as part of the health reform package. HB 3145 will make health care more affordable by establishing:

• Clear Standards. Strengthens and clarifies standards a rate hike must meet show it is not excessive. State officials will consider criteria such as the insurer's full financial position, including surplus levels and investment income; and their efforts to cut waste – controlling costs while maintaining or improving the quality of health care.

• Transparency and Streamlining. Requires the Insurance Division to set rules standardizing required rate filing information from insurers, and clarifying what information, if any, should be exempt from public disclosure to protect trade secrets.

• Accountability. Gives affected consumers and businesses the ability to weigh in on a proposed rate increase before it goes into effect through a 30-day public comment period, and establishes a public hearing process.

It is obvoius, if nothing meaningful is done our health care system will collapse. That is the cost of doing nothing.. The Oregon Health Fund Board recommendations need to be passed and funded this session. We need to make an investment now to enact real health reform and deliver direct cost savings to Oregonians.

The Health Fund Board has calculated that the investment of approximately $6 million this session to fund the reform package will save hundreds of millions of dollars over three years. It is time for the legislature to act and pass health reform. Please support the health reform package of recommendations from the Oregon Health Fund Board.