Rural Oregonians Would Suffer Under GOP Proposal

Governor Tina Kotek met Wednesday with rural healthcare providers from central and eastern Oregon to discuss how the region would be impacted by proposed federal cuts.  Kotek hosted a roundtable with the leaders of Bend-based Mosaic Community Health, Harney District Hospital Family Care, Grande Ronde Hospital and others.

“The reason I wanted to be in Bend was to really focus on what it means for rural Oregonians to access the care they need,” the Governor said.

Rural Oregonians Will Be Hurt Under GOP Plan

Kotek said cuts to Medicaid and SNAP proposed by Republicans would have a deep economic impact on Oregon, especially in its only Republican Congressional District.

“In fact, Congressional District Two, represented by Congressman Cliff Bentz, has the highest reliance on the Oregon Health Plan and SNAP in the state, per capita," Kotek said.  "There are 166,000 Oregonians who depend on SNAP here in the eastern part of the state.

“When SNAP benefits are cut, that affects the grocery store, where people use them. It affects what people can put on their table," the Governor continued.  "That is taking food out of the mouths of children and seniors and veterans who depend on SNAP benefits.”

Kotek estimates 100,000-200,000 Oregonians would lose their healthcare, if the current Republican plan is passed.

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