Tillamook Chapter HCAO August Newsletter

AUGUST NEWSLETTER

HCAO Tillamook County Chapter
Issue 2026-08

HCAO News & August Announcements

CONTENTS

• A Quick Fair Wrap-Up
• Yesterday's meeting with Senator Wyden and HCAO Chair Valdez Bravo, and small crowd
• A Call for Tablers at next Saturday's Tillamook Farmers' Market
• October Presentation to AAUW Tillamook Chapter

A Quick Fair Wrap-Up

The Fair was amazing. I, just now, finished entering 106 records of neighbors interested in receiving our news, so we can call this a Real HCAO Tillamook Chapter - with members who are "in the loop."

We did hear, on the last day of the fair, that the Governance Board (which has been building the Oregon Health Plan) has postponed submission of the bill to the Oregon State Legislature from September 15th to December 1st, -more to come on that.

Thanks for coming to our Tillamook Fair booth and thanks to all those who helped put the booth together and those who spoke to the public about Oregon's Universal Health Plan. We will announce the Fair attendence numbers when they are made public, and let's plan on doing it again in '27!

Download: Tillamook Fair Handout (PDF)

Portland "Townhall Announcement"

with Senator Wyden and HCAO Chair Valdez Bravo, and supporters

Amazing news - U.S. Senator Wyden, has changed his mind on standing up for Single-Payer! He has decided to go full-bore for Federal "Medicare for All". In this effort he has partnered with our HCAO Chairman, Valdez Bravo, to also support our efforts for the Oregon Universal Health Plan. Look-Out Democrats, you've now got work to do!

On that note - we are copying TillCoDems on this newsletter and would like their serious feedback. Can we count on your active support for Healthcare for All Oregon, Dems?

They were arm-in-arm in Portland, Senator Ron Wyden and HCAO's Chair Valdez Bravo promising to help each other in our march toward single payer, towards achieving any and all Federal and State plans that we can accomplish. The meeting brought the medical community, individuals, especially the medically challenged, labor unions and several HCAO redshirts to testify and rally around Senator "Ron"'s new initiative.

The Senator did have a special ask. He asked for testimony to help him make the argument in Washington. So, here's where we can help. I am asking the Tillamook Chapter to tell their stories - and I will help you edit and polish them if you like. Please write out how the current system has hurt you and your loved ones, perhaps stolen your money and made your lives miserable.

Send your testimonies here, this is where Senator Wyden wants to receive your stories about the ways Medical Insurance companies have failed you. Again, if you are insecure about writing, I can help. Call or write to me and we'll get that story out.

Here are a couple of images from yesterdays' meetings and I'll also attach a scan of the Senator's handout below:

Download: Senator Wyden's Handout (PDF)

A Call for Tablers for at next Saturday's Tillamook Farmers' Market

We have our HCAO annual booth next Saturday, August 22nd at the Tillamook Farmer's Market on Laurel Street. The Market runs from 9:am - 2:pm and we'll meet there at 8:30. Gosh, if I can get up that early on a Saturday, maybe you can, too. But, seriously, it's great fun and a perfect time to talk to visitors about the Universal Health Plan. Please join us Saturday.

October Presentation to AAUW Tillamook Chapter

I have been asked to present our HCAO story about the Universal Health Plan to Tillamook's Chapter of the American Association of University Women, (AAUW) on October 10, 2026. Here's another opportunity to help out, be involved, just watch or get real speaking experience for anyone who would like to help with the presentation. In fact, I may have another opportunity or two before this one. So please drop me a line if you would like to be a speaker.

AND - Please let me know if you can help with our HCAO Tillamook Chapter. We could use a co-chair and others. Please don't hesitate, there's much we can do, including fostering neighboring countys' efforts to organize. I would love to hear from you. -B.D.

End of the Fair Breakdown

 We took down the HCAO Tillamook Fair Booth yesterday. It was a great 4 days and we talked with a great amount of people getting the message out. Here is a recap of our HCAO folks Aug. 5-8 at the Fair in photos:

Setting up the HCAO Booth at the Tillamook County Fair

 Tomorrow is the beginning of the 4-day Tillamook Fair and our HCAO (Health Care For ALL Oregon) booth is ready to go! Today Kristin Johnson from Tillamook Vision Center helped me construct the booth and I think it looks great.

(Shirt says, "Yes, I have a Retirement Plan. I Plan to Play my Accordion." -And I'm not sure there will be any practicing for the next 4 days.)

 Today was the monthly Tualatin  Valley Accordion practice, of which I am a new member.

And I performed for the first time (anywhere). I attempted to play "indifference" and "Softly, as in a summer sunshine".

Here's a nice picture of our leader, Doris Osgood.

Here's a group from the whole that performed magnificently!

The practice is inspiring - and Doris has invited me for some coaching in Forest Grove. I am really excited!

 Son Paul and his very-good friend Sadi left today after a wonderful visit from Pueblo, Colorado. We miss them already!

Come back again, soon, you two!

 Homestead Family Reunion Picnic Day 2026

Another afternoon of many happy faces, wonderful memories, and eating too much...
(I told myself I wasn't going to do that again this year!)

 It was a great time at my first meeting of the Tualatin Valley Accordionists group practice - grinning the whole time!

Life is certainly fun.