People in our communities are experiencing unprecedented levels of anxiety, depression, and related conditions. At Kaiser Permanente, we believe the mind can’t be treated separately from the body. So, we consider mental health in our total health approach.

We support mental health policies that:

• Reinvent outdated models of care
• Support and rebuild a stressed and strained workforce
• Invest in preventive services and evidence-based care innovations

We’re concerned about the burden high drug prices impose on our members and society.

We provide our members with safe, high-quality medications at a strong value for their dollar. We do this by:

• Prescribing based on evidence
• Negotiating drug prices with manufacturers
• Using generics and biosimilars when available
• Tracking safety and outcomes

As a health plan, provider, and pharmacy in one, we have a unique perspective on the prescription drug marketplace. Our experience informs an array of policy positions designed to make prescription drugs more effective, safer, and more affordable.

By 2034, the country expects a shortfall of up to 124,000 physicians. The United States needs over 200,000 new nurses annually through 2031 to meet demand. Additionally, by 2026, the country will need 3.2 million more professionals in other health care roles.

The high cost and time commitment required for a health care education complicates the workforce shortage, as does the recruitment of health care educators due to low salaries compared to workforce wages. 

In response to this challenge, we believe:

• Policymakers at the state and federal levels should expand funding for training programs, tuition assistance, and loan forgiveness programs

• Congress has a critical role to play in helping grow and diversify the workforce — specifically increasing federal funding for clinical training programs and physician residency slots

Tobacco is a leading cause of preventable death and disease in Oregon and Washington state. Every year, residents of both states pay over $4.8 billion for smoking-related health care costs.

Reducing tobacco use is critical to improving the health of our communities. This is why we advocate for policies that prevent people from starting to use tobacco products and help people who are already addicted quit.

Read about some of our work to reduce tobacco use in Oregon.

• Supporting increased tobacco taxes — Taxing electronic cigarettes and tobacco products is a proven approach to reducing smoking and vaping. Taxing slows the rate of new users, which saves lives and reduces costs to the health care system.
  
  In 2020, Kaiser Permanente strongly supported Oregon Measure 108, which proposed a tobacco tax increase.
  
  The measure passed, increasing taxes on cigarettes and cigars, and creating a new tax on electronic cigarettes. Most of the additional tax revenues are supporting the Oregon Health Authority in paying for the treatment of sick people, especially people with mental illnesses.

• Working to ban the sale of flavored tobacco — Flavors make tobacco products seem less harsh and often make them appeal to young people. We continue to support removing all flavored tobacco products from the market, including products used with electronic cigarettes.
  
  We’re a leading sponsor of the Flavors Hook Oregon Kids coalition. The coalition is working to end the sale of flavored tobacco in Oregon.
  
  As a result of our and the coalition’s ongoing advocacy, the 2 largest counties in Oregon have passed ordinances ending the sale of flavored tobacco. We are striving to protect those wins and introduce more bans across the state.