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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Dispatch recording reveals details about Medford police pursuit that ended in fire and one death ... Medford police officer crashes while providing backup ... Gymnastics coach Bettman faces 25 years for recording girls undressing ... Dispatch recording reveals details about Medford police pursuit that ended in fire and one death ... Medford police officer crashes while providing backup ... Gymnastics coach Bettman faces 25 years for recording girls undressing ... OUR VIEW Our View: Sen. Alan Bates — a life of service Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Aug. 10, 2016 at 12:01 AM Posted Aug. 10, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News The end came too quickly for state Sen. Alan Bates. His accomplishments as a physician and as a champion of health care reform and human services took years of painstaking work — work that is still unfinished. Bates began that work when he was appointed to the Health Services Commission nearly three decades ago. That commission would design and implement the Oregon Health Plan, and Bates would serve three years as its chairman before running for public office. First elected to the Oregon House of Representatives in 2000, he moved to the Senate in 2004. From the beginning, he specialized in health care and humans services issues. The Oregon Health Plan he helped craft to deliver care to low-income Oregonians became a model for other states to emulate, and ultimately became a key element of Oregon's implementation of the Affordable Care Act. As tirelessly as Bates worked to expand health coverage to more Oregonians, he was equally as dedicated to his own patients. After putting in four long days of legislating in Salem during a session, he would drive home and see patients all weekend before hitting the road back to the Capitol and doing it all over again. Bates was a Democrat, but not an ideologue. He represented a swing Senate district in a part of the state not known for sending Democrats to Salem. As a result, he had some hard-fought election battles, including in 2010, when his win was confirmed only after a recount. Bates was not as liberal as some of his colleagues from the Willamette Valley, but he commanded the respect of Democrats and Republicans alike. The outpouring of tributes to him from across the political spectrum was not just lip service. As the news of his untimely death spread, we heard from our governor, two U.S. senators, countless state leaders and legislators, physicians, nurses and from ordinary people for whom he had made a difference, sometimes as their legislator but more often as their doctor. Bates was the target of some negative campaign tactics from Republican political action committees upstate in his re-election bids, but he made a point of running positive campaigns himself. That determination to stay above the fray was typical of his approach throughout his career. Alan Bates leaves a legacy of dedication to his constituents and to his patients. Beyond Senate District 3, the state of Oregon benefited from his efforts. His work of ensuring all Oregonians have access to health care remains unfinished; the greatest tribute to him would be for those of us who remain behind to finish the task. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Aug. 10, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501