Measure 23 (2002) was alegislatively referred state statute that would have created asingle-payer health care system to provide health care to every person in theU.S. state ofOregon.[1] The proposal would have merged all the various funding streams—personal and employer taxes, federal health programs, and the state workers' compensation system—into a single financing system. The system would have covered 100% of medically necessary health care costs with no deductibles orcost sharing. Prescription drugs, preventive care, mental health services, long-term care, dental and vision care, and many alternative therapies would have been covered as well.[2]
The measure was rejected by voters in the general election on November 5, 2002.
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
 No | 969,537 | 78.51 |
| Yes | 265,310 | 21.49 |
| Total votes | 1,234,847 | 100.00 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 1,872,615 | 69.1 |
| Source:Oregon State Elections Division:[1] | ||