October 14, 2025 4;15 p.m. 

On Tuesday, Oregon House Republican Leader Lucetta Elmer called for accountability after a news report from the Daily Caller revealed that Oregon will spend more on free health care for immigrants – regardless of their legal status – than on state police.

A release from Elmer said that according to the Legislative Fiscal Office, Oregon expects to spend $1.3 billion in state and federal tax dollars combined for the Healthier Oregon program. That is an Oregon Health Plan, non-Medicaid program that covers members who meet eligibility requirements, regardless of their citizenship status – for the 2025-2027 biennium. Elmer said the costs of this program have skyrocketed since 2021, when its budget was capped at $100 million.

In the same biennium, Oregon expects to spend approximately $717 million for the Oregon State Police Department.

Elmer said, “Budgets reveal priorities” Elmer said, “When Oregonians see these numbers side by side, they deserve to ask whether state spending aligns with our most urgent needs – keeping communities safe, addressing addiction, and supporting working families”.  Elmer said, “Accountability isn’t about partisanship; it’s about ensuring taxpayer dollars are used responsibly and reflect Oregon’s shared values”.