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Oregon Rep. Mitch Greenlick passes away


Rep. Mitch Greenlick appears on KATU's Your Voice Your Vote. KATU photo
Rep. Mitch Greenlick appears on KATU's Your Voice Your Vote. KATU photo
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Oregon Rep. Mitch Greenlick passed away Friday night, according to statements from House Speaker Tina Kotek and Senate President Peter Courtney.

Greenlick had been battling a number of health issues over the last year and was serving his last term in the Oregon House.

“Oregonians lost a champion for fairness, justice, and health care as a human right. His work and legacy will benefit Oregonians for years to come,” speaker Kotek wrote in her statement.

In accordance with the Jewish tradition, there will be a small, private family service within a few days. A public celebration of his life will be considered when the time is appropriate.

“Representative Greenlick was one of my closest colleagues in the Legislature. I will miss his moral compass, his intellect, and his sense of humor. I will miss my friend,” speaker Kotek wrote.

In a statement, Courtney said, "Mitch Greenlick was more than just a great legislator. He was a good and decent person he really was. Mitch was a man of strong morals and a good conscience. Someone who could be counted on to do the right thing. We will always need people like Mitch in the Legislature. We will miss his guidance. Oregon has lost a true public servant today.”

House Majority Leader Barbara Smith Warner also released a statement, writing “I am deeply saddened to learn that our friend Mitch Greenlick passed away last night. Mitch dedicated his life to serving Oregonians, always standing on principle and fighting for what he knew was right and just – and he always did it with unmistakable candor and humor. On behalf of myself and the Oregon House Democrats, I extend the deepest condolences to Harriet, the love of Mitch’s life, his children, Phyllis, Michael and Vicki, and the entire Greenlick family. May we all be fortunate enough to have a life so well lived.”

Becky Hultberg, president and CEO ofOregon Association of Hospitals & Health Systems, released the following statement about Greenlick's passing:

"We mourn the loss of Mitch Greenlick, a passionate champion of public health and health coverage.

As a member of the legislature, Representative Greenlick used his vast knowledge of health policy to improve access to care. He played a key role in the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, the creation of Coordinated Care Organizations, and the establishment of the Oregon Health Authority, all of which have helped extend coverage via the Oregon Health Plan to nearly one million Oregonians.

Before becoming a state representative, Mitch already had worked tirelessly for decades in a variety of public health service roles. In 2019, OAHHS nominated him for a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Oregon Public Health Association. In our nomination statement, we wrote “Mitch Greenlick’s contribution to public health policy is so vast that it may never fully be appreciated in Oregon.”

We are saddened by the passing of our friend. Mitch was a public servant in the best sense, someone who used his tremendous intellect, commitment and compassion to improve the lives of his fellow Oregonians.

We at OAHHS extend our deepest condolences to Mitch’s wife Harriet and to the entire Greenlick family."

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