Congresswoman Bynum worries about rise in health care cost.
KTVZ – News Team
CLACKAMAS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Rising health care costs are putting growing pressure on Oregon families, according to Congresswoman Janelle Bynum, who said it’s the top concern she hears from her constituents.
“Health insurance and health care are expensive enough as it is,” Bynum said during a press conference Monday at Clackamas Community College. “Oregonians don’t need D.C. politicians raising their costs even more.”
Bynum spoke alongside members of AFSCME, the union representing public service workers, as the start of open enrollment for Affordable Care Act coverage brought additional stress for many Oregonians. Some families are facing premium increases of nearly 20 percent this year, union members said.
Steven Kang, a resource contact for AFSCME members, described the situation as dire for many working families. “People are terrified,” he said. “There are working families with children or spouses fighting serious medical battles, and they don’t know what they’ll do if they can’t afford the premiums or the treatments.”
Bynum said the repeated message she hears from voters is that affordable, reliable health care remains their top priority. “People have told me over and over again that health care is their number one issue,” she said. “They want to make sure we have a strong system where kids can get medicine when they need it and no one faces medical bankruptcy.”
She also voiced concern about recent cuts to SNAP benefits, warning that reduced food assistance could worsen financial struggles for families already burdened by medical costs.
Bynum said she plans to advocate for stronger protections to keep health care affordable and accessible for all Oregonian