Friends and neighbors, 

I've been busy this past month preparing for the work that lies ahead of us once the federal public health emergency ends, meeting with constituents, and planning for an informational meeting at our upcoming June legislative days.

This letter brings you news about Oregon's new Joint Task Force on a Bridge Health Care Program, information on a virtual town hall focused on fentanyl awareness, a request to support local students and their robotics team, and an opportunity to have your voice heard concerning wildfire preparedness. 

Joint Task Force on the Bridge Health Care Program Holds First Meeting 

During the last legislative session I championed, and the Legislative Assembly passed, House Bill 4035 which, along with laying the framework for navigating the Medicaid redetermination process, established a Task Force on the Bridge Health Care Program. This Task Force will develop a proposal for providing affordable health insurance coverage and continuity of coverage for individuals who regularly enroll and are disenrolled in Medicaid due to income fluctuations. 

It is important that states have a plan for continuing health care coverage for Medicaid enrollees who lose eligibility once the federal public health emergency ends. I'm excited at the opportunity we have to also look for a potential path to continuity of care for individuals who will no longer qualify for the Oregon Health Plan but earn below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.

Having originally ran for office in 2018 to protect Medicaid coverage for the vulnerable populations that depend on it and it did not escape me how poetic it was that the last policy I carried on the house floor focused on protecting continuity of care for the same vulnerable Oregonians. 

Being a family nurse practitioner and a primary care provider - you learn a lot about what’s important to people - listening to their dreams and fears, sharing their faith, and giving them hope. I see the emotional toll that having no health insurance has on people. They lose sleep. They feel stressed at all times. They worry about seeking care because they are terrified of costs. They ration their medication. 

On any day, our lives can be flipped upside down by a diagnosis or accident, whoever you are, however important you are. Our healthcare system should support us when it does. I believe Oregon has the resources, intelligence and talent to get this important work done.  I’m honored to co chair this task force as we collaboratively lead the effort to ensure healthcare coverage for more Oregonians. 

This past Tuesday, April 27th I was honored to finally kick off the Joint Task Force on the Bridge Health Care Program. We will be meeting throughout the summer months and I’m looking forward to the conversations and the progress Oregon will make in moving towards making sure every Oregonian has access to health care. 

You can follow the Task Force here, review our 4/27 meeting materials here, and watch our meeting here.  

You can also check out the national coverage our work is receiving here. 

• Dr. Ana Hilde - Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist
• Cam Strahm - Assistant Special Agent - Drug Enforcement Administration
• Jon & Jennifer Epstein - Parents who lost their son to fentanyl poisoning
• Michele Stroh - Parent, Oregon City School Board Member, Advocate

Supporting our Local Students

Last weekend, the West Linn Robotics Team competed at the World level, placing fourth in qualifying matches. Team ‘To Be Determined / 7074’ captained an alliance which made it all the way to the finals. 7034 has worked hard the past few months training students in leadership, business, and, of course, robotics to spread awareness of, and confidence in, STEM at West Linn High School. 

A brief recap of their success at the World Championship can be found here, and a link to their GoFundMe can be found here. Please consider supporting these students - all donations to the GoFundMe help West Linn Robotics cover key expenses and offset travel costs for future competitions.

Finally, Team 7034 is always thankful for its sponsors, who make going to competition and running regular practices possible. Anyone willing to become a sponsor may contact [email protected] for more information.
 

Department of Land Conservation & Development Needs Your Input
 

To address heightened wildfire risk, state legislators passed Oregon's first comprehensive wildfire bill to help modernize and improve wildfire preparedness (Senate Bill 762). 

As part of this effort, the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) is conducting a Survey and Online Open House to engage people from across the state and gather feedback on ways state and local land use planning programs can help communities be better prepared for wildfires to minimize risk and improve community resilience. 

To participate, visit DLCD’s Wildfire Adapted Oregon Online Open House to learn more about the state’s efforts to modernize and improve wildfire preparedness. Here, you’ll be able to weigh in on how to address wildfire risk in state and local land use planning programs. The Survey and Online Open House will be available through May 27, 2022.

Visit the Online Open House
Take the Wildfire Adapted Oregon Survey

Your input will inform DLCD’s recommendations to the statewide Wildfire Programs Advisory Council and Legislature about potential updates to state and local land use planning programs to help save lives, protect development, natural resources, and working lands, and increase the resiliency of Oregon’s communities.

For additional project information, including background and next steps, visit DLCD’s Wildfire Adapted Communities webpage.