Editorial

Vote Yes on Measure 35

Placing a $500,000 cap on non-economic damage awards in medical liability cases is a step toward controlling spiraling medical costs.

Oregon, like the rest of the nation, faces a growing crisis in health care; costs continue to increase, access to critical services is diminished and affordable coverage is harder to come by for both businesses and individuals.

Measure 35 will not solve all of these problems. It does, however, hold out some hope of reining in liability insurance costs. At the same time, it protects the rights of the injured to full compensation for medical treatment and loss of income.

It's hard to tell someone who has the wrong leg amputated by mistake that his loss is worth only $500,000. It's hard to tell someone that $500,000 is the price of her child's life.

But it is equally hard to tell a rural mother that she must drive three hours to deliver her baby because no obstetrician can afford to practice in her area. What if there is a crisis? What is her child's life worth?

Under Measure 35, juries will still offer justice to victims, while we fight to maintain good, accessible health care for every Oregonian.

Vote Yes on Measure 35.