“Who on this policy board is without insurance?”

January, 2012

The following comment was sent by Muriel Wentzien, an uninsured member of Leaven Project / Redeemer Lutheran to the Oregon Health Policy Board after MACG’s December Health Care Reform Assembly.

Her remarks to the Health Policy Board members advocate for governance by consumers - not corporate interests.

This is in alignment with MACG’s specific advocacy for significant consumer representation on the state’s future Coordinated Care Organization boards.  

Muriel’s email is an inspiring example of the MACG organizing principle of taking public action through the passion of her personal story.

She urged others on the Health Care Action Team to send comments also, saying:

“I am without a permanent job and have been without health insurance myself. I want the people in our institutions to have some passion.“


----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Muriel Wentzien <...@yahoo.com>
To: "ohpb.info@state.or.us" <ohpb.info@state.or.us>
Sent: Sunday, January 1, 2012 1:53 PM
Subject: Where is the humanity?

Who on this policy board is without insurance?
Who on this policy board is without employment?
Who on this policy board even cares?

Where is the urgency? Not with people who are comfortable.

This is OUR state. WE the people are the insurance companies customers.

Does that surprise some people? Have they ever thought of the matter that way?

The board should be made up of the needy not people who are comfortable. Does that make sense?

Insurance companies wish to perpetuate a bad system because they profit from it. Why are so many on these boards and committees?

When will we hear from our Governor? Who is standing up for us?
I have more questions than answers.

Thank you for your time.

Muriel Wentzien