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--></style></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'>Hi,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'>Please register for this focus group for 3/11 if you are interested in Universal healthcare. The link is below<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'>Kristen Jocums<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'>(706)718-8055<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'> MCDONELL Miriam D * DCBS <Miriam.D.MCDONELL@dcbs.oregon.gov> <br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, February 25, 2026 4:58 PM<br><b>To:</b> 'kjocums@icloud.com' <kjocums@icloud.com><br><b>Cc:</b> COURTELIS Isabel * DCBS <isabel.courtelis@dcbs.oregon.gov><br><b>Subject:</b> Invitation to a focus group <o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dear Kristen Jocums,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:black'>We are reaching out to invite you to participate in a small, virtual focus group for disability-led organizations as part of the Universal Health Plan Governance Board’s engagement process.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Oregon is at an important moment. Across our state, families, employers, providers, and communities are feeling the strain of rising costs, workforce challenges, and a system that too often feels fragmented and difficult to navigate. For many years, Oregon has been working toward a more equitable, affordable, and sustainable approach to health care. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>You are being invited because your experience and perspective matter. The Board wants to ensure its recommendations are grounded not only in policy analysis, but in the lived realities of the people and organizations that make Oregon’s health system work every day.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>The session will be held virtually on March 11th, from 3:00-4:30. Please register <a href="https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/QGMd1h09ThOiLp5d02r4Qg">here</a>.</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>In 2022, the Universal Health Plan Task Force conducted extensive statewide public engagement and set a vision shaped by Oregonians’ values. In 2023, the Legislature created the Universal Health Plan Governance Board through SB 1089 to build on that foundation and develop detailed recommendations for how universal health care could be administered and funded in Oregon.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Since then, the Board and its committees have held more than 123 public meetings and received public testimony from across the state. The list for this targeted engagement process is:</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:47.25pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2;vertical-align:baseline'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Employers<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:47.25pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2;vertical-align:baseline'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Business organizations/associations<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:47.25pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2;vertical-align:baseline'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Health care providers and systems<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:47.25pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2;vertical-align:baseline'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Health care insurers<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:47.25pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2;vertical-align:baseline'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Coordinated Care Organizations<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:47.25pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2;vertical-align:baseline'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Health care consumers<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:47.25pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2;vertical-align:baseline'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Disability-led organizations<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:47.25pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2;vertical-align:baseline'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:black'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Community-based organizations<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>The Board used a criteria-based approach to select organizations for these focus groups in order to meet legislative requirements, reflect statewide diversity, and ensure meaningful and balanced input. Not all interested organizations can be included in every engagement opportunity; an organization’s inclusion or exclusion is not a judgment on its importance, legitimacy, or the value of its work.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>These conversations are intentionally small and designed for candid dialogue. Each virtual session will include no more than 12 to 15 participants. Board members will not attend, allowing space for open and honest discussion. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Participants will hear a summary of the Board’s preliminary recommendations and will be invited, through a facilitated conversation, to share feedback on specific questions identified by committee leadership. Individual comments will not be attributed or shared outside the meeting. Feedback will be summarized in aggregate and incorporated into a report to the Board. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:8.0pt;margin-left:0in'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>All input gathered through this process is considered alongside public testimony, written comments, prior task force findings, and additional community engagement efforts as the Board refines its recommendations to the state legislature.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>We hope you will join this conversation and help shape the next chapter of Oregon’s health care system.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Please register at your earliest convenience. We would value your participation. If you need accommodations to attend, please respond to this email and let us know your needs. If you want to send an alternate, please let us know so we can match invitations with registrations for the meeting. We will be sending out materials and the questions a week before the meeting to those who have registered.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Sincerely,</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Miriam D. McDonell, MD, MPHSM </span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>(she/her/hers)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Executive Director<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Universal Health Plan Governance Board<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>(971) 260-7678<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><a href="mailto:miriam.d.mcdonell@dcbs.oregon.gov">miriam.d.mcdonell@dcbs.oregon.gov</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'><img border=0 width=215 height=123 style='width:2.243in;height:1.2777in' id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.jpg@01DCA677.D71B1E70" alt="Graphical user interface, text, application AI-generated content may be incorrect."></span><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>