SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber recently signed a health care overhaul that he says will improve care, reduce costs and serve as a model for the rest of the nation.
Supporters say that if all 50 states adopted Oregon’s changes, the federal budget would save more than $1.5 trillion over the next 10 years.
But critics say such savings are unlikely and that if the program works, more people will use health care benefits and cause costs to rise. Also, a recent Congressional Budget Office report found that similar programs run on a trial basis did not provide conclusive evidence of savings.
But Oregon proponents, led by Kitzhaber, say their plan is different and point to trial programs around the state as examples.
