Policy Priorities
“Let’s work together to make our community a better one.”
-Hai Pham, DMD
Healthcare
Medical and dental coverage for all is a right, not a privilege. However, many Oregonians do not have access to medical and/or dental care. As a cancer survivor Dr. Pham has experienced first-hand how broken our medical system actually is in Oregon. At the age of 27, immediately before starting his dental residency, he was diagnosed with leukemia. He could not afford the $15,000 monthly copay for the cancer treatment. He spent months essentially wasting away and waiting to die, until he finally received the financial assistance he needed to get the treatment necessary for his survival.
As an Oregonian who is living with a pre-existing condition. Dr. Pham knows how important it is to fight to help keep the Affordable Care Act in place. And to ensure that no one can ever be discriminated against for having a pre-existing condition like Dr. Pham. This is especially important for our pediatric patients who are born with medical conditions or develop them early on in life.
As a clinician Dr. Pham has worked hard to take care of his pediatric patients. His 15 years of experience in healthcare has given him an in depth knowledge and understanding of how the Healthcare system works. He has also earned the respect of his fellow colleagues at all of the different Hospital Systems in Oregon. All of his experiences and relationships he has developed over the years will allow him to navigate and shape meaningful policies that will help all Oregonians from rural to metropolitan areas.
Education
Education for every Oregonian is of paramount importance. We need to invest more funds into schools and in educating our children in order to give them the tools necessary for leading successful lives. Such investment could be in the form of preschools, higher education or vocational programs. I am certain that I am where I am today because of the excellent education I received through the public school system in Oregon.
I will work with parents, teachers and school board members to develop a strategic plan and policies that will focus on getting more funding to our schools.
Family wage jobs
Jobs are crucial to a successful and thriving community. Both small and large businesses in our community should work together with our local government to create more jobs that provide living wages with medical and dental coverage. Having access to better paying jobs will allow Oregonians to save for the future. One example of how our local government can help better our communities is the state retirement program called Oregon Saves. It gives employers and employees who don’t already have access to a retirement plan, another option for their company and employees to invest in their future.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Diversity, equity and inclusion are issues that are very important to Dr. Pham. His family immigrated to the United States after the Vietnam War as refugees. The hardships of living below the federal poverty level and learning a new language and culture was very difficult at first for his family. Overcoming these obstacles has given him a unique perspective and insight into how legislators can help improve policies to increase diversity, equity and inclusion.
The Covid-19 pandemic has caused financial hardships and housing instability for many families. We need to have a strategic plan in place to help those who are impacted by the pandemic economically and emotionally. My experience as a business owner, health care provider, humanitarian, Pediatric Dentistry Chairman at Randall Children’s Hospital, and member of the Governor’s Children Cabinet, Oregon Board of Dentistry, and Charitable Foundation Board provide me with a unique perspective and experience to design and execute such a plan. I know I can help make our community better by making it more diverse, equitable and inclusive for all.
Protecting our Environment
Dr. Pham trusts and values science and will support legislation to fight climate change. Climate change is happening right before our eyes and we need to continue to be proactive about managing the situation. Climate Change will affect our beautiful Oregon coastlines, forests, energy supply and the amazing salmon fisheries.
Let’s work together
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