We Can Do Better

We Can Do Better (formerly known as the Archimedes Movement[1]) (founded 2006) is a grassroots movement based in the U.S. state of Oregon, which aims to bring citizens and stakeholders together to design a health care system that "works better for everyone."[2] It was founded by former Oregon governor John Kitzhaber, M.D. in January 2006.[3] Kitzhaber's goal was to find a way to put money used for health care, which as of 2006 amounted to about $6.3 billion in Oregon, to better use.[4] That year, it was one of three organizations that drew substantially increased funding levels from the Northwest Health Foundation; its grant funds totaled $82,000.[5]

In 2007, members of the organization initially "crowded the steps" of the Oregon Capitol in support of a bill before the 2007 legislature to establish the Oregon Health Trust,[6] but Kitzhaber later reversed his position, pulling his support from the bill and advising members of the organization that the then-current version of the bill did "not reflect the work…done by you through the Archimedes Movement."[7]

The organization's goal was to create a national grass-roots effort to reform health care, starting in Oregon.[8] It was founded on the belief that incremental change to existing health programs like Medicare and Medicaid will not be sufficient to solve their long-term problems, and that communities and coalitions outside the political world would need to form consensus around goals and values, and pressure lawmakers to make more fundamental changes.[3]

The organization's executive director, Liz Baxter, has advocated for health policy reform to members of the Oregon Legislative Assembly.[9] She also chairs the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange Board, established in 2011.[10]

The Archimedes Movement is a member of the Oregon Health Reform Collaborative.[11] The organization's original name was based on the ancient Greek mathematician Archimedes, who is quoted as saying "Give me a lever and a place to stand, and I can move the Earth."[4]