For the Democrat-Herald

Two state senators are launching a tour of Oregon to talk about efforts to lower costs and increase access to medical care.

Sens. Alan Bates, D-Ashland, and Ben Westlund,

D-Bend, are co-chairs of the Senate Special Committee on Health Care Reform.

Their tour will reach Corvallis on March 20, when they will be at the Corvallis Public Library, 645 N.W. Monroe Ave., from 7 to 9 p.m. They are planning no other mid-valley stop on the tour, which started March 8.

During the interim, the legislators co-chaired the Senate Commission on Health Care Access and Affordability, which recommended a framework for reform. That plan has been introduced as Senate Bill 329.

The legislation would establish an oversight board to help contain costs, streamline administration and increase transparency of health care costs for consumers.

The board would be tasked with ensuring each Oregonian has access to an affordable essential benefits package that covers primary and preventative health care services. Additional benefits could be purchased directly from insurers.

"We can't wait for the federal government to solve the health care crisis facing us," Westlund said in a statement. "Critical reforms have to start at the state level and Oregon can lead this charge."

"Oregonians need access to affordable health care," said Bates, who is also a primary-care physician. "People shouldn't be denied coverage when they're sick and need it most."

The committee is considering SB 329 along with other health care proposals including Senate Bill 27 introduced by former Gov. John Kitzhaber and proposals put forth by the Oregon Health Policy Commission and the Small Business Council. The proposals all aim to make essential health coverage affordable and available to everyone.

Differences arise out of ways to provide that coverage and how to pay for it.

The tour is a chance for Oregonians to learn about the current concepts of health care reform and what the legislature can do today to address the health care crisis.

"Not everyone can make it to Salem, so we're bringing the discussion to them" Westlund said.

A list of tour dates is available online at www.hopeforahealthyoregon.com or by contacting Josh Balloch at (503) 508-5868.