Oregon Right to Healthcare Amendment (2020)
| Oregon Right to Healthcare Amendment (2020) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Election date November 3, 2020 | |
| Topic Healthcare | |
| Status Not on the ballot | |
| Type Constitutional amendment | Origin State legislature |
The Oregon Right to Healthcare Amendment was not on the ballot in Oregon as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment on November 3, 2020.[1]
This measure would have added to the state constitution that the state must "ensure that every resident of Oregon has access to cost-effective, clinically appropriate and affordable health care as a fundamental right." It would have also added that the state's obligation to provide healthcare must be balanced against funding for public schools and essential public services. It would have contained a provision stating that any action brought against the state regarding the established fundamental right to healthcare could not interfere with that balance.[1]
Text of the measure
Constitutional changes
- See also: Article I, Oregon Constitution
The measure would have added a new section, Section 47, to Article I of the state constitution. The following underlined text would have been added.[1]
SECTION 47. (1) It is the obligation of the state to ensure that every resident of Oregon has access to cost-effective, clinically appropriate and affordable health care as a fundamental right.
(2) The obligation of the state described in subsection (1) of this section must be balanced against the public interest in funding public schools and other essential public services, and any remedy arising from an action brought against the state to enforce the provisions of this section may not interfere with the balance described in this subsection.[2]
Path to the ballot
- See also: Amending the Oregon Constitution
To put a legislatively referred constitutional amendment before voters, a simple majority vote of all members is required in both the Oregon House of Representatives and the Oregon State Senate.[1]
This amendment was introduced into the Oregon State Legislature as House Joint Resolution 202 during the 2020 legislative session. On February 17, 2020, the state House voted 36-21 to approve the amendment. The state Senate did not vote on the amendment before the 2020 legislative session adjourned.[1]
