Oregon shuns universal care, US voters shun Democrats.

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Author: Korcok, Milan

When voters in Oregon crushed a proposition that would have established a Canadian-style, tax-financed, universal health care plan for all residents, they clearly signalled their unwillingness to pay higher taxes or to trust a government bureaucracy to run the system.

As one voter told the Portland News-Review after the November vote: "I have lots of friends from Canada and they think universal health care is a good idea. ... But I was worried about how much it could cost." So were the 79% of Oregon voters who voted no. Some rejected it because they were worried that ill people from across the US would move to Oregon to get free care.

Meanwhile, US voters were just as clearly shifting their trust concerning 2 major health care issues -- prescription drug coverage and health insurance for 41 million uninsured Americans -- from the Democrats to the Republicans.

With the Republicans now in control of the White House, Senate and House of Representatives, a bill that will subsidize private insurers who provide drug benefits to Medicare beneficiaries at low monthly premiums will likely be brought forward. (Medicare provides health care coverage for American seniors and disabled people.)

To extend insurance coverage beyond people enrolled in employee plans, President George Bush is also expected to ask Congress to authorize tax credits for health insurance bought by people who don't have access to employer insurance or are not eligible for public programs. Republicans have also vowed to push for legislation limiting damage awards in medical malpractice cases. Until now, Democrats have opposed such limits. -- Milan Korcok, Florida

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By Milan Korcok, Florida