State lawmakers created the Universal Health Plan Governance Board in 2023, asking it to take the baton from a previous group that had mapped out a framework for a centrally administered universal health care system in Oregon—like the Oregon Health Plan or certain aspects of Medicare, but for all. Still, the state health care system is flashing very ugly signs, and it’s apparent something must change, and quickly. “I think we have a healthy skepticism right now,” Hospital Association of Oregon chief executive Becky Hultberg told WW last month when asked about the universal health plan vision. “But we do want to engage in longer-term conversations about the future of the health care system. Correction: The initial version of this story misstated how many members of the Universal Health Plan Governance Board voted to delay its report.