Author: North Coast BBQ

We the People

Inscribed on the Statue of Liberty

“Give me your tired, your poor,
your huddled masses, yearning
to breathe free, the wretched refuse
of your teeming shore. Send these,
the homeless, tempest tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door.”
Mother of Exiles

Brokering the ways of treason and
intimate violence, you now bring war
to our streets. The enduring dream
of community and country based on
realizing equality, precious and fragile,
is being lost. Behind a flag, a bible,
a train of endless lies, all your words
lift nothing and bring disgrace. Each
slight of hand and grifting distraction
invites hate and it is so easy to turn away
from taking responsibility. No goodness
can abide in deceit. We understand
what is better than this. For generations
our citizens have offered goodwill
and carried the decency to follow the law.
In this historic struggle, we will resist, hold
the line, find a way to take back the power
and voice of the common good. When justice
calls, and justice will call, your privilege
will be denied, a stronger scaffold will rise.
Behind bars you can heal what is broken
or go down failing in your own mad bunker.
As this timeless dream returns, we the people
will open the golden door.

Let’s Talk Tillamook: Understanding the Future of the Oregon Health Plan
By Dr. Tim Borman, Semi-Retired Local Physician

Q: What is Medicaid, and how does it work in Oregon?
A: Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that helps cover medical costs for
people with limited income. In Oregon, it’s called the Oregon Health Plan (OHP).
OHP serves children, pregnant women, people with disabilities, and elderly adults.
Currently, the federal government pays about 76% of the cost, and Oregon pays
about 24%.

Q: How does Medicaid differ from Medicare?
A: Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people age 65 and older, as
well as some younger people with disabilities. Unlike OHP, Medicare has the same
rules across all states and typically requires participants to pay premiums,
deductibles, and coinsurance. Medicare generally does not cover long-term nursing
home care. That gap is filled by OHP, which pays for services for about 60% of
nursing home residents in Oregon.

Q: How many people rely on OHP in Oregon and here in Tillamook?
A: Across the state, 59% of children and 34% of adults are covered. Nearly half
of all births in Oregon are paid for through OHP. Here in Tillamook County, about
8,000–8,500 people—roughly one-third of the population—are enrolled.
Q: Who qualifies for OHP?
A: Eligibility depends on income, family size, and health status. For example, a
family of four with an annual income below about $43,000 may qualify. OHP is
designed to help people who might not otherwise afford health insurance.

Q: What changes are coming to OHP?
A: Beginning January 2027, Oregon will receive less federal Medicaid funding.
That means fewer services and fewer people eligible for OHP. Rural areas like
Tillamook are expected to feel the cuts hardest. Without insurance, people often
delay care until it becomes urgent, leading to worse outcomes and much higher
costs. For example, an urgent care visit might cost $150–$250, while an ER visit
for the same condition could be $1,500–$3,000. If small hospitals can’t keep up,
some may close.
Eric Swanson, president of Adventist Health Tillamook, notes that 35% of the
hospital’s patients rely on OHP. He warns that cuts will be “devastating to
people on Medicaid.”

Q: What about the new work requirement?
A: Also in 2027, most OHP members ages 19–64 will have to document at least 80
hours of work per month (or prove exemption) to keep coverage. While 71% of
OHP members already work, many who don’t are elderly or disabled. The online
reporting system may create barriers, especially for rural residents with limited
internet access.

Q: What can people do now?
A: If you think you may qualify for OHP, it’s best to apply before December 2026,
when enrollment will likely become more complicated. Visit the Oregon Health
Plan website or contact the Tillamook County Community Health Center for help
applying.

Dear Protesters,

It’s been a busy week here. Just wanted to touch bases and let you know the Protest for this week will be in Nehalem from noon to 2 PM. We’ve been pretty lucky with the weather, but right now I am seeing some rain for Saturday-not much, but some. Please bring your rain gear, your waterproof signs, or forget the signs and just bring yourselves. The few critics we have are hoping we shrivel up when we get wet. We want to collect your thoughts on what people might do if they can’t protest in the rain.

A few thoughts have already been presented, the first one being a letter/postcard campaign. Writing to both Republicans and Democrats to express how we feel. Another is to turn our thoughts and energy into helping those in our community who have been adversely affected by our Federal Government. Neither thought is exclusive of the other. Between our North County Food Bank, our Nehalem Bay Community Services, and the need for food for kids when they are on vacation during the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays. Please add your own thoughts to these and let us know what you are thinking on Saturday.

We are looking for more donations in our donation box for the North County Food Bank or cash/check donations to this organization. Again, we thank the couple from Tillamook who bring a minimum of 5 cases of food plus a large bag of dog or cat food each Saturday.

The address at the top of the page is all about being safe at our protests. Please read. We still need about 4 more people to help us with the “NO KINGS” Protest on October 18th. This protest will be in Manzanita. We must have you all at this protest with your “NO KINGS” signs. Please join us to show how we feel about not only our political parties but also the Federal Government. If you need your sign waterproofed, we are working on a solution for that.

Thanks,
Patty
.