Although the budget announced this week by the Governor is by no means the final product, the Governor's budget sets the tone for the legislative session. The proposed new $700 million will be used to provide health insurance coverage to 117,000 uninsured children, expand Oregon Health Plan/Medicaid to up to an additional 65,000 Oregonians, improved mental health services, train more health care providers, lower prescription costs and more. Unquestionably, these are welcome proposals, but is more needed to address the health care access crisis in Oregon?

Read more on the budget in the Oregonian article or read the governor's budget summary.