What does it mean if a state declares that health care is a right?

Oregon may soon find out. The state’s House of Representativesjust approved adding an amendment to the state constitutionstating, "It is the obligation of the state to ensure that every resident of Oregon has access tocost-effective, medically appropriate and affordable health care as a fundamental right."

If the bill is approved by the State Senate, where Democratsalso enjoy a large majority, the next step will be for voters toratify the amendment on the ballot this November.

It’s unclear what effect such a law would have in terms of statebudgeting. Would courts find that its current efforts to providehealth care to low-income people, through Medicaid and otherprograms, comply with the constitutional mandate to ensure accessfor every Oregon resident?

"Some states have an extensive history of considering universalhealth coverage, going back 15 to 20 or more years," RichardCauchi, a researcher with the National Conference of StateLegislatures, tells ABC News. "However, no such binding ballotquestion language has been passed and added to a stateconstitution."

While those on the left have long pushed for universal healthcare, arguing that it is a moral obligation of government,Democrats in Oregon are also pointing to the attempts byRepublicans at the federal level to chip away at national healthprograms, notably Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, as proofthat the state needs to step up its role.

"If I didn't have insurance, I wouldn't be here," said Rep.Mitch Greenlick, who described his fight with lymphoma since 2005."I would be dead."

Republicans, meanwhile, have raised concerns about the cost andargued that the state may be creating an open-ended benefit that itis unable to afford.

"What's been said today is there is no plan. We have no idea howmuch it will cost," said Rep. Mike McLane, the House GOPleader.

Democrats at both the state and federal level are increasinglyunder pressure from the liberal base of their party to endorse the“Medicare-for-All” plan most prominentlychampioned by Bernie Sanders.

So far, however, no state effort to guarantee health care hassucceeded. Efforts by lawmakers in Vermont and California to set upsingle-payer health care plans fell through due to fears of thecost and a ballot initiative in Colorado to set up a single-payersystem was defeated in the wake of opposition from leaders in bothparties.