Federal retrenchments in health, education, and family support are leaving states to fill widening gaps. Cuts to Medicaid, narrowed Title IX protections, stagnant childcare investments, and uncertainty around reproductive rights all raise the stakes for Oregon families.
Women and children often bear the brunt, but fathers, caregivers, and communities as a whole are also affected. Oregon must respond boldly with equitable healthcare, family care, childcare, and educational support that shields every household—especially the nearly 70% of Oregonians earning under $100,000—from destabilization.
Healthcare for all Oregonians: Building Toward Universal Coverage
In 2022, Oregonians approved Measure 111, making health care a constitutional right. In 2023, SB 1089 created the Universal Health Plan Governance Board (UHPGB) to design a comprehensive plan for delivering affordable, equitable care. By 2026, lawmakers will review proposals to unify coverage and financing.
Oregon already operates OHP Bridge, providing premium-free coverage for adults who are at 138–200% of the federal poverty level. Pairing this with federal 1115 Medicaid waivers and 1332 reinsurance mechanisms can channel federal funds into a single, sustainable system. Lessons from Colorado, Washington, and Massachusetts show that expanding coverage is possible, but only if cost growth is disciplined and affordability benchmarks are enforced (Colorado Health Institute, 2024; Massachusetts Health Policy Commission, 2023; Washington Health Benefit Exchange, 2024).
To make this more than an insurance program, Oregon should reward providers for better health outcomes—like improved chronic disease management, widely adopted preventive care, and reduced avoidable hospitalizations—and offer Oregon cities incentives for providing and funding community clinic spaces and support for new medical and nursing graduates in primary care roles.
Family Care: Paid Leave That Works for Everyone
Oregon’s Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML) program now guarantees up to 12 weeks of paid leave (14 for pregnancy-related needs). Since launching in 2023, it has delivered over $1 billion in benefits to more than 150,000 people. Yet delays in processing and limited awareness—especially among fathers, self-employed workers, and small business employees—undermine its impact.
To strengthen PFML, Oregon should:
- Streamline applications and improve processing for faster benefit delivery.
- Expand outreach to fathers and caregivers in non-traditional roles.
- Integrate PFML with universal health coverage so families’ wages and health needs are jointly protected.
Childcare: Affordability as an Economic Imperative
Oregon has the highest infant care costs in the nation—nearly $18,000–$19,000 annually. Public investments have reduced “childcare deserts” from 27 counties in 2018 to just 9 in 2025. But demand still far outpaces supply.
Legislation such as SB 5514 ($225M for subsidies), passed in July, 2025, and HB 2593 (still in Committee; goal of bill is to reduce waitlists) should be implemented. State leaders can also expand support for childcare businesses and explore municipal childcare grants for cities that invest in facilities, or workforce training.
Education: Schools as the Core of Family Safety Nets
Schools are more than a place to learn—they are frontlines for child safety, mental health, and family resources. Narrowed federal Title IX protections risk undermining these roles. Oregon should maintain strong state-level Title IX standards that protect all students, including boys who underreport harassment and girls who face systemic barriers (Oregon Department of Education, Title IX Guidance, 2024).
Education funding should also be coupled with child wellness services in each community:
- Expand SafeOregon tip lines and mental health counselors in schools.
- Fund afterschool and early-learning programs as child-protection tools.
- Encourage partnerships between schools, healthcare providers, and social services so families can access multiple supports under one roof.
A Unified Vision for all Oregon Families
Oregon has a historic opportunity to weave together universal healthcare, strong family leave, affordable childcare, and robust educational supports into a cohesive safety net. Doing so will not only protect low to average income households from federal shortfalls, but also improve long-term community resilience.
The path forward is clear:
- Guarantee healthcare as a right—and make it affordable.
- Strengthen PFML so all parents and caregivers can use it.
- Cut childcare costs and expand supply statewide.
- Keep schools as safe, equitable anchors for every child.
When the federal government falters, Oregon must stand tall. By building systems that value health, caregiving, and education for everyone in our communities, Oregon can ensure her families have the stability to thrive.
Newberg Neighbors for a Better Community 