Bruce Davidson photography

Faces of CareOregon members give life to the health care reform debate

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Too often, the debate about health care reform loses the perspective of what really matters. Amid the mind-numbing statistics—how many millions of Americans are without health insurance (46 million, at last count), how many more are within one illness of personal financial disaster—the people affected by health care get lost.

In February, CareOregon members helped bring perspective to Washington, D.C. At the invitation of the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), photos of CareOregon members taken by Bruce Davidson were displayed in the Russell Senate Office Building Rotunda.

The exhibit, “Safety Net Health Plans Put People First,” was presented in conjunction with the ACAP Legislative Fly-In and Policy Face-to Face Meeting.

The photos were taken in Oregon, but the stories are universal. That’s why ACAP wanted them in the national capital at a time when health care reform is more likely than ever to actually make progress.

“Our hope is that legislators and other Washington, D.C. opinion leaders will see the photos and recognize the importance of supporting Medicaid and Medicare,” says CareOregon CEO David Ford. “These beautiful member photos help put a face to health care in America, and to show that safety net health plans are about people and not just recipient numbers and dollar figures. These are all real people, with real lives and real concerns.”

The exhibition included a reception with Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden and photographer Bruce Davidson. Also speaking were Dave Ford and ACAP CEO Meg Murray.

The goal for the original photography project was to show a community bonded through a universal need—the right to health and health care. The project attracted renowned photographer Davidson, who, over a career spanning more than five decades, has documented struggling communities, from the Civil Rights Era to the residents of one of New York’s poorest streets.

“This CareOregon project was one of the most meaningful assignments I’ve had in my career,” Davidson said of the project. “To enter the lives of those who are sick, handicapped or burdened with rare ailments was an eye opener.”

Because of the ongoing health care safety net health plans provide, children who would regularly miss school because of asthma or diabetes now get a good education. Pregnant women give birth after full-term to healthy babies, instead of prematurely, which often requires weeks of hospitalization, multiple surgeries and millions of dollars in care. Adults with physical and mental health issues enjoy useful, dignified lives.

It was moving to see the reaction to the photos by the reception attendees, says Communications Manager Jeanie Lunsford. “To see visitors walk up to the photos and become absorbed in them was very touching,” she says.

The photos made personal the policies supported by ACAP members at the Fly-In. Attendees, representing ACAP’s membership of safety net health plans, met with members of Congress and their staffs about issues including the Medicaid Continuous Quality Act (to reduce costly “churning” of members going on and off Medicaid), the Drug Rebate Equalization Act and threats to Medicare Advantage plans.

In addition, there were several educational sessions, including one on grassroots advocacy with the National Association of Community Health Plans that was of special interest to the CareOregon delegation, Jeanie says.

“It was particularly interesting to us because we’re looking at ways we can include our members more in our advocacy and decision making,” she says.

Bruce Davidson’s CareOregon photos continue to be on display at CareOregon’s headquarters in Portland. If you are in Portland and would like to see them, please e-mail Jeanie Lunsford or call her at 503-416-3626 to arrange a tour.