Portland public health experts to present impacts of 'Obamacare to Trumpcare'

OHSU-PSU School of Public Health faculty to discuss the repeal of the Affordable Care Act in the first of a series of monthly forums titled “Public Health Portland Style”

By Tracy Brawley January 18, 2017 Portland, Ore.

On the eve of the inauguration of the 45^th U.S. president, the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health will host a public discussion aimed at addressing one of the most hotly debated issues of the 2016 presidential election: the repeal of the Affordable Care Act.

“Health care reform: Obamacare to Trumpcare” will take place Thursday, Jan. 19, at 5:30 p.m. at the Lucky Lab, 1945 N.W. Quimby St., Portland. The event is free and people of all ages are welcome.

“The U.S. Congressional Budget Office recently revealed that the repeal of Obamacare could result in 18 million people losing health insurance. This includes several hundred thousand Oregonians,” said David Bangsberg, M.D., M.P.H., founding dean of the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health. “Access to affordable health care is a key public health issue and one that should not be ignored. This event is designed to start a dialogue about how to move forward in a time of change so that all members of our community may obtain the quality care they need and deserve.”

The event comprises three presentations by members of the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health faculty:

“Possible changes to the Affordable Care Act under a Trump Presidency” by Bruce Goldberg, M.D., senior fellow, OHSU Center for Health Systems Effectiveness; and senior associate director, Oregon Rural Practice Based Research Network
“Monopolies and why health care is so expensive” by Peter Graven, Ph.D., health economist, OHSU Center for Health Systems Effectiveness; and assistant professor, OHSU-PSU School of Public Health
“Complementary Alternative Medicine” by Richard Lockwood, senior instructor, Community Health – Urban & Public Affairs, OHSU-PSU School of Public Health

This forum is the first in a series of monthly forums titled “Public Health Portland Style.” Hosted by the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health, the series is designed to discuss key issues that affect residents of Oregon and Southwest Washington. Future topics include opioid addiction and gun violence. Public Health Portland Style will be held the third Thursday of the month at Lucky Lab. Additional details available here.