Friends and Neighbors,

Over the course of this pandemic, Oregonians have come together many times to protect one another. More than eight in ten adults are vaccinated, and I want to thank you for taking action to stop COVID-19 from spreading. Together, we can save lives and keep the virus from killing more people of all ages. 

The Delta variant remains a danger to people who aren’t vaccinated or need a booster. Hospitals remain full of people who are unvaccinated and sick with COVID-19. As we head into the second winter holiday season since the start of the pandemic, too many Oregon families will see empty chairs around their dinner tables. This holiday, you’re at less risk if you’re vaccinated and if you get a booster when the time is right. Smaller gatherings are less risky than large gatherings, especially indoors. 

Knowing firsthand the sacrifice so many have made, the hard work so many have engaged in, and how vaccines have helped create a safe way to re-engage in holiday gatherings this year, I feel thankful. I also took time to reflect on how far we have come and read my newsletter from this time last year:

“Dear Family and Friends, 

When the pandemic changed our lives back in March, we all hoped that by this point in the year, things would be somewhat back to normal. Instead, we’re at the most dangerous point of the pandemic, both here in Oregon and throughout the United States meaning this will be a holiday season like no other. 

We are now averaging more than 1,000 cases per day, as The Oregonian reports here. Unfortunately, we all need to reconsider the holiday gatherings we planned and hoped for. I don’t want to minimize how hard it is to give up a holiday, especially after a very tough year, but this is not the time to gather in the same room with a group of friends and family. 

Many of us are feeling anger, frustration, sadness and disappointment about the repeated requests from public officials to limit our social gatherings. This is hard on everyone. I too feel the impact of this continued pandemic and last week experienced a day of tears.  

I cried for those dying alone, for those struggling with distance learning, for those worried about their livelihoods.

I cried because I, like so many of you, deeply miss meeting friends to share successes and disappointments and problem solve together as we break bread and share wine at our favorite local spots.

I cried for the lost visit with my family this year to check in on my brother going through a divorce, my brother who battles addiction, my three nephews, one with autism, and my aging parents.

I cried because this year I’ve watched my oldest dog lose all her abilities and will soon cross the rainbow bridge.

I cried because every week for 8 months I’ve watched my senior patients suffer from isolation as I care for them and their families who can't visit them.

I cried for our exhausted healthcare workers caring for the sick everyday during this pandemic.

I cried because I miss hugging. I miss hugging my patients, my colleagues, my friends and family and sometimes people I met for the first time after a heartfelt meeting.

I cried because I miss seeing my healthcare team at our weekly meetings where we support each other in caring for the most complex patients at the end of their lives. Instead we quickly cross paths wearing masks when we go in to have our weekly COVID test and grab our PPE. Our team chaplain has even been forced to host two of our quarterly patient memorials virtually because even our grief can't be shared in our typical comforting ways.

I cried for myself and fellow legislators who are working around the clock -- but I still feel like there is more we could be doing for those struggling.

I cried for legislative staff who are hearing stories of struggle and desperation and who continue working around the clock to help our struggling community members.

I cried because we still have some leaders defying the plea for limiting social gatherings and putting others at risk. They do not understand the honor of caring for our community.

Because of all of these reasons and more, I cried. I share this because I know many people are struggling with isolation and sadness. We will get through this and we will once again meet up to break bread and look in each other's eyes and see one another's smile. Until then please be safe and enjoy your holiday safely.”

This pandemic is not over yet, but every day we get closer to a time where we can safely see one another again without masks and without fear. I am thankful for how far we’ve come. 

COVID-19 Vaccinations for Kids
 

Earlier this month, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Advisory Panel unanimously recommended use of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine for children ages 5 through 11. This followed the vote by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to authorize the emergency use of the Pfizer pediatric COVID-19 vaccine for 5 through 11 year olds, which came after the vaccine was found to be 90.7% effective in preventing COVID-19 in that age range with no serious side effects detected in an ongoing study.

COVID-19 vaccines have undergone – and will continue to undergo – the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history. Vaccinating children helps protect them from getting COVID-19 and therefore reducing their risk of severe disease, hospitalizations, or developing long-term COVID-19 complications. Getting your children vaccinated can help protect them against COVID-19, as well as reduce disruptions to in-person learning and activities by helping curb community transmission. 

If you have more detailed questions about what this could mean for your children, I encourage you to speak with your primary care provider to get your questions answered. The Get Vaccinated Oregon (GVO) locator map can help you find a nearby provider with pediatric doses of Pfizer available.

CDC Expands Eligibility for COVID-19 Booster Shots to All Adults

CDC continues to encourage the 47 million adults who are not yet vaccinated to get vaccinated as soon as possible to protect themselves, their families, loved ones and communities. They also strongly encourage those who are eligible to get boosted before the holidays. 

Boosters are strongly recommended for people older than 50, people aged 18 and older who live in long-term care facilities, those with underlying health conditions, and anyone who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Vaccinated people are eligible for a booster six months after they completed their initial series if they received a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or two months after they received their Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Anyone can find available vaccines near them at vaccines.gov and should consult their health care provider or local pharmacist if they have questions about vaccines or boosters.

Emergency Rental Assistance Pause

The Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program (OERAP) is a federal program funded in two waves, totaling $289 M in rental assistance resources. The program has paid more than $130 million in federal emergency rental assistance to nearly 20,000 Oregon renters whose housing was impacted by the pandemic. Unfortunately, the program continues to see unprecedented demand exceeding available resources. 
 
As a result of the demand, Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) has made the decision to pause accepting new applications to OERAP for six weeks, starting Wednesday, December 1 at 11:59pm. OHCS will be shifting their focus to advocating for more federal funding and processing applications they currently have in queue. 

Anyone who has fallen behind on rent or may get behind on December rent is encouraged to apply for emergency rental assistance immediately or before Dec. 1 at 11:59 p.m. at oregonrentalassistance.org. 

After Dec. 1, the agency encourages people to apply for other emergency rental assistance programs across the state to receive the 60-day safe harbor period (90 days in Multnomah County and unincorporated areas of Washington County). 

Some cities and counties received Emergency Rental Assistance funding directly from the U.S. Department of Treasury and you can find more information by contacting these local districts directly:
 
• City of Portland and Multnomah County, 503-222-5555 
• Clackamas County, 503-655-8575 
• Lane County, 541-682-3776 
• Marion County, 971-706-1364 
• Washington County, 503-615-0770 

People can also contact 211 or Community Action Agencies in their area. 

During the pause, OHCS and local program administrators will continue processing all remaining completed applications quickly, prioritizing those outside the 60-/90-day windows of protection. The agency expects that all completed applications in the queue will be processed and paid as soon as possible. OHCS will be notifying anyone with an incomplete application to complete their application before that deadline through a series of correspondences.

Lane Community College becomes the first to implement Gun Policy based on SB 554

Last session, I was the chief sponsor of SB 554, a bill requiring the safe storage of firearms and authorizing school districts, community colleges, and public university governing boards to adopt policies prohibiting all firearms on campus, including firearms possessed by concealed handgun licensees. The new law went into effect on September 25, 2021, and Lane Community College is the first to adopt new firearm policies on campus. 
 
Lane Community College voted unanimously on Wednesday, Nov. 17th to approve a policy prohibiting firearms on campus, unless carried by law enforcement. 
 
I have had several conversations with local school board members and hope more schools will take action and adopt policies to create safer campuses for students, faculty, and staff. 

Prescription Drug Costs, Build Back Better Act, and Upcoming Public Hearing

I ran for office because I was tired of seeing my patients ration their medication. I’ve seen how Pharmaceutical costs are a matter of life or death. In 2020, 45% of Americans polled reported being worried about how they will afford prescription drugs for themselves or their families. The same poll showed families worry more about prescription costs than they do about insurance premiums, housing, utilities, or food.

Last week Congress passed the Build Back Better act and finally let Medicare negotiate drug prices.  The policy will establish a clearly defined negotiation process that is fair for manufacturers, while providing the biggest savings on medications that have been on the market a long time. It will impose a tax penalty if drug companies increase their prices faster than inflation. It will also lower seniors’ cost-sharing for all types of medication. The Senate must pass the Build Back Better act and finally let Medicare negotiate drug prices. 

Here in Oregon, Senator Patterson and I passed a policy last session that created the Prescription Drug Affordability Board, bringing experts together to protect our healthcare system from the high cost of prescription drugs. 

The board is tasked to identify medications causing affordability issues, and conduct a study of the entire pharmaceutical distribution and payment system in the state, as well as policies being used in other states and countries to lower the cost of pharmaceuticals.

When crafting the policy to create the Prescription Drug Affordability Board, I looked at what Oregon had already passed, namely The Prescription Drug Price Transparency Act of 2018. Led by Representative Nosse, the bill directed the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services to establish a transparency program to accept reports and disclose certain information from prescription drug manufacturers, health insurance carriers, and consumers on drug prices.

The goal of the program, which is part of the Division of Financial Regulation, is to provide accountability for prescription drug pricing through the notice and disclosure of specific drug costs and price information from pharmaceutical manufacturers, health insurers, and consumers.

The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS) is asking for the public’s help before its third annual public hearing on prescription drug prices. The department set up a brief survey – http://dcbspage.org/RxStories – for consumers to ask questions and share their stories about rising prescription drug prices. The department wants to know what questions you have about the increase in prescription drugs and how it has affected you and your family.

The hearing is scheduled for 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 8th and I will be moderating the hearing. You can learn more and watch previous years’ public hearings here.