OCPP Says Thousands of Oregonians Still at Poverty Level With No Health Insurance

In 2007, one out of eight Oregonians was officially poor despite a slight income gain.

(SILVERTON, Ore.) - As the last economic expansion hit its peak, the typical Oregon household's income reportedly rose slightly in 2007 over the previous year.

Yet, Oregon was unable to reduce poverty or the percentage of Oregonians lacking health insurance, according to data released by the U.S. Census Bureau and analyzed by the Silverton-based Oregon Center for Public Policy (OCPP), a nonpartisan research institute.

"The typical Oregon household saw its income improve somewhat last year," said Michael Leachman, a policy analyst with the public policy research institute, "but the household was no better off than it was at the end of the last expansion in 2000."

Leachman noted that Oregon's median household income in 2007 was $48,730 -- not meaningfully different from what it was in 2000, before the previous recession.

"When the most recent economic expansion was at its peak, the typical Oregonian made no gains," said Leachman. Leachman noted that the typical Oregonian's income was no better than before the last recession, and the number of people lacking health insurance was higher in real terms and in percentage terms, as well.

"Today's Census data show that Oregonians didn't enter the current economic slowdown in great shape to weather the storm," he added.

In 2007, poverty in Oregon stood at 12.9 percent, which means about one out of eight Oregonians was officially poor. "Oregon continues to fail in reducing its poverty rate during the good economic times," said Joy Margheim, a policy analyst at the research center. "In this key way, the economy is failing to move Oregon forward," she added.

Margheim called on the Governor and lawmakers to address poverty with the same vigor that they have addressed hunger and food insecurity.

"A concerted effort by the state led to significant changes in our rate of hunger and food insecurity over the last decade. It is time for the Governor to lead a similar effort to reduce poverty," she said.

Margheim noted there is no shortage of ways Oregon can help poor families get ahead.

"Policymakers can take important steps to improve economic opportunity for those struggling to make ends meet, such as raising the state earned income tax credit (EITC), improving Oregon's unemployment insurance system so more workers are covered, strengthening our cash assistance program, expanding health insurance for working families, and making housing more affordable through smart state investments."

"The bottom line is that Oregon needs a plan and a commitment to reduce poverty," she concluded.

Nationally, fewer children lack health insurance, while OCPP's analysis saw no change in the uninsurance rate among Oregon's children. "Sadly, things still do look different here," said Leachman.

"Unlike the rest of the country we are making no headway in providing health insurance to kids and our rate of uninsurance for all Oregonians is higher than the national average," he said.

In 2006-07, 17.3 percent of Oregonians -- 649,000 individuals -- lacked health insurance for a year or more, up from 12.7 percent of Oregonians in 1999-2000. About one in nine Oregon children -- 103,000 kids -- went without insurance for a year or more in 2006-07.

This November, Oregon voters will be asked to approve Measure 59, which would allow an unlimited deduction of federal income taxes on state tax returns. OCPP's executive director, Charles Sheketoff, said today's Census numbers give more reasons why Oregonians should vote "no on 59."

"Measure 59 would wreak havoc on the state's efforts to address the problems identified in today's Census figures," said Sheketoff. "Measure 59 offers no tax break to more than three out of four Oregon taxpayers, yet all Oregonians will feel the pain caused by its hefty price tag," said Sheketoff.

The Oregon Center for Public Policy uses research and analysis to advance policies and practices that improve the economic and social opportunities of all Oregonians.

Salem-News.com Top Stories

2025: Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst

Two Wars with No Way Out

No One Owns the Future

The Ugly Origins of Trump's America First Policy

A One-State Solution Could Transform the World

Comments Leave a comment on this story.

All comments and messages are approved by people and self promotional links or unacceptable comments are denied.

Henry Ruark September 3, 2008 4:10 pm (Pacific time)

Friend C-son: Must confess still not found way to force eMac to disgorge those missing-you-mentioned. Sincere, did have, memory still states they directly oposed to others cited. My apologies, sir: DO get stuck once in a while, as now; but they did-DO-exist, and when disgorged will show 'em. Re 6,000-wd. also lost, now set up one month with mag., for editor inclusion in his roundup, and partially restored, thankfully tail-end with detailed refs. so can resumer where cut/off. Best to you despite perhaps too-"intensities" here, part of my writing/style, per old friend P-Eye/SailorMan...all in good faith despite your own overblown light-style re Vic who dserves better form allayou, as do we all.

sts September 3, 2008 8:23 am (Pacific time)

federal....reserve....bank...period. until the root of the problem is addresed, the cancer will grow, and more taxes will hasten the economic downfall. But, the federal government made sure nobody learned this.

Carlson September 2, 2008 9:42 pm (Pacific time)

Henry thanks for advice I shall try to be more dilligent as time-budget allows. Say have you found those "polls" you mentioned you had that showed Obama ahead of McCain in active military and veterans. Just wondering, maybe it slipped your mind? Vic I think you're onto something with those peanut butter stats. Reminds me of this peanut farmer who lusted in his heart, who claimed he was attacked by a killer rabbit while in boat. He also claimed North Korea had seen the light and had given up their missle and nuke pursuits (circa 1994). Nothing beats foreign affairs experience like that. Alas, I like peanut butter, too bad it has generated such a high casualty list as you had purported below. Big shame. How about different types of jams/jellies?

Vic September 2, 2008 12:42 pm (Pacific time)

Keep drinking yhe Kool-Aid, Folks....stay afraid,AND pay your taxes and sign up your kids and grandkids..we need to be safe! But consider this. More Americans have died from peanut allergies than "terrorism" from 1970 to the present...I suppose that if we really want to be safe, we should spend a billion dollars a week (like we are in Iraq) to eradicate peanut crops and arrest/detain/kill those responsible for growing them. We could start with pre-emptive strikes on the Jiffy and Peter Pan peanut butter plants, using cruise missiles made in Texas at United Technologies ( $1,500,000 each ) then start a campaign of bombing known distributors of PB...Safeway, IGA, etc. After all..peanuts kill more Americans than terrorists..it's a fact. Other incidents that kill more Americans than terrorism are accidents involving deer, lightning strikes and swimming pools. http://www.prisonplanet.com/articles/january2007/050107peanutskill.htm

Henry Ruark September 2, 2008 11:39 am (Pacific time)

C-son: There you go again,sir ! UNinformed or Misinformed or Malign. Gotta be one or t/other... Your key phrase is: "...better safe than sorry..." Do you REALLY think we need military budget equal to that of WHOLE REST OF WORLD --even without Iraq/Afg. costs ? If you DID know that, why not NOW explain WHY-needed, killing off any other possible use of same taxpayer dollars, in Op Ed here, with full documentation from respected sources ? If you did NOT KNOW, then you ARE UNinformed, for sure, which tends to vanish any credibility whatsoever for future words here. SO why not SHOW US with Op Ed AND solid authoritative sources ? Feeling only can go so far, and b/b/massage means nothing here, since "everybody has one, and they are all about the same"...kickerline on true story quoting famous Oregon Governor Sprague.

Henry Ruark September 2, 2008 11:28 am (Pacific time)

"Anon": Word is "plagiarizes" --but of course you do not care to check out facts OR spelling, before firing from behind that tree. Happens Sen. Byden forgot to use quotes for one of his sources...have done same thing myself, but caught it prior to publication. His style and intensity make him vulnerable to such error, but do not impair his judgment on foreign affairs --surely superior to mother too busy to keep track of her 17-yr.old "beautiful daughter." Also often use quotes in part or condensed, or several summarized --standard usage for publication field for space or other reasons. But how would you know that, being so uninformed that you send smears protected by that tree ? But then I use dictionary and check sources, too, which one need never do when hiding behind "anon", for which there is always suspicion of WHY-used. If NOT, in your case, ID self to Editor and I'll send PDF of several helpful classic articles from top journalistic sources re "anon" and why it is so cowardly-used by so many... "If you can't sign it with real name in real time, do not send it or publish it" is solid rule to follow here --if you acting in good faith and responsibility to readership.

Carlson September 2, 2008 9:57 am (Pacific time)

Has anyone out there computed what the average yearly expenses are for our military as a stand alone cost? No doubt it is pretty high, now couple that with dealing with terorists on a global level. It costs a lot to be safe, and there is that saying "...better safe than sorry..."

Vic September 1, 2008 2:56 pm (Pacific time)

I suggest that those who are concerned about the cost of social programs consider this....as of 2:45 today, the war has cost the US $551,000,000,000.... If you really care about the COST and it isnt just a racist or class thing, Id be working towards ending the war to get the WMDs.

Anonymous September 1, 2008 1:30 pm (Pacific time)

Choosing the appropriate presidential candidate is real easy. Go for the ones who have the experience to deal with the reality of today's violent world and have experience in decision making. Talk is just that, talk. Once again we need experienced leaders during these violent times. A community organizer and a person who plagerizes others are just bluster without substance.

Henry Ruark September 1, 2008 8:40 am (Pacific time)

Sallie et al: Thank you for thoughtful, rational, reasonable comment. What we must do is make sure we have government which can and will do precisely what you suggest. Problem comes when we allow ourselves to be diverted into allowing huge distortion and dollar-driven perversion of what wit, wisdom and will of the people truly seek. "American exceptionalism"-- WHY we are different than all other forms of governance-- hangs in the balance on this pivotal election. We must choose wisely for the 21st Century. We have solid record of neocon policy and its consequences to guide us, with 30 years of "Win By ANY Means !" firmly on that record for all to see --and ponder.

Sallie September 1, 2008 7:32 am (Pacific time)

I also understand that the source of this article comes from a liberal group who collects data and then manipulates, exaggerates and then presents it in such a way as to try and evoke some social response that will cause ignorant people to react by voting a certain way, or agreeing to another social program.

Sallie August 31, 2008 3:29 pm (Pacific time)

Poverty, whatever the cause cannot be fixed by just government. Bad governments however, are elected by the people. If government is bad and not working, then do something about it. Stop being ignorant. Stop being manipulated. Stop re-electing the same scum bags. Poverty is also caused by lazy, complacent people who act irresponsibly and expect this entitlement from others to support them. Self preservation for all of us means taking personal responsibility for ourselves and the children we create. Life is full of choices that shapes ones life. We make hundreds of decisions every day that can be life altering. Bad choices and decisions, leads to bad outcomes. I DO have empathy and a sense of responsibility for the disabled and those in need who have done everything they can, but still find themselves in need of help. I do not however, feel the same empathy for those to have acted irresponsibly, cheated the system and expect, or demand handouts and assistance from those who have played by the rules.

Henry Ruark August 31, 2008 9:13 am (Pacific time)

To all: For further highly relevant information, see my Comment under Op Ed running above.

Henry Ruark August 31, 2008 8:46 am (Pacific time)

S., C-son: No intention to "flame" either of you --appreciate your willingness to share your feelings here, and learn from others via their sensitivities. Sometimes, now at 90, suffer from "old-man syndrome": Too quick, too angry, too superficial. Was WD myself, escaped only by dint of GI Bill, life experience and realistic impacts. Thank you for participation and, if this is "mea culpa", so be it...

Henry Ruark August 30, 2008 8:07 pm (Pacific time)

To all: There's UNinformed, MISinformed, and WDs, media term for Woefully Deprived. Will leave to your own judgment where these two fit. Reality and even msmedia are full of information showing neocon cabal and perverted policies have forced economic and social situation worse than ever before in this nation. But distortion, denial and self-defeat through those impacts on cogitation are part of the psychological makeup of some, as cognitive scientists have long ago shown to be true.

Sallie August 28, 2008 12:05 pm (Pacific time)

The economy is failing. Big news. Who is to blame? A broken, corrupt one party government. Oregon is as liberal as it gets. So what does this say about a democratic vs republican government? How much money and resources are needed to meet this nirvana existence? Who pays and carries this burden? Is it the responsible citizen who obeys the law, scrimps and saves and acts responsibly by limiting the number of children they have based on their ability to support, or is it the law breakers, who don't work, use drugs and reproduce like rabbits with multiple partners? Joe taxpayer pays for it all. We support the welfare for the lazy buns, and the corporate welfare sold to us by our elected officials. It doesn't matter who gets elected, because they are all one and the same.

Carlson August 28, 2008 7:14 am (Pacific time)

No doubt the governor and legislative leadership have failed to do their jobs. I saw an earlier article on this matter and saw they also included illegal aliens in their data, which will skew the stats appreciably.

[Return to Top]