In a surprising turn of events, Oregon's budget reveals a stark contrast in spending priorities. The state is allocating a staggering amount of money towards healthcare for non-citizens, surpassing the funds dedicated to the Oregon State Police. But here's where it gets controversial... The House Republican Leader, Lucetta Elmer, argues that this disparity is a necessary measure to ensure equal access to healthcare for all. However, critics question the fairness of this approach, wondering why not fund undocumented immigrants' healthcare directly instead of burdening hospitals with ER costs. And this is the part most people miss... The Healthier Oregon program, which provides free health coverage to eligible individuals, has a total budget of approximately $1.2 billion for the 2025-27 biennium. This includes state and federal funds, with the federal portion covering emergency and pregnancy care as mandated by law. So, what do you think? Is this a fair allocation of resources, or is there a better way to address the healthcare needs of non-citizens? Share your thoughts and join the discussion!
