The forces fighting hardest to promote Measure 101, a ballot measure that would tax Oregon's large hospitals and most insurance policies, are the same entities that would pay a majority of those taxes.

Why? When poor uninsured patients show up in the emergency room, hospitals are required to treat them even if those people can't pay. They say that's more expensive and less effective than keeping patients insured and giving them less costly preventative and routine care.

And then there is the big federal match. Oregon's roughly $300 million contribution to cover its share of some patients' Medicaid costs over two years would net the state's health care industry another nearly $1 billion in federal matching money.

What is Measure 101? Answers to frequently asked questions

Hospitals and other players in the state's health industry say paying new or higher health care taxes is well worth that payoff.

With less than a week until the 8 p.m. Jan. 23 ballot deadline, here are answers to some other key questions about Measure 101.

NOTE: This story was updated to clarify that hospitals are required to treat people who show up in the emergency room regardless of whether those people can pay. That means hospitals must treat many people for free.

-- Hillary Borrud

Oregon hospitals spend big on campaign to pass health care taxes