Salem, Ore. - Too many Oregonians are sick and die prematurely due to preventable disease, disproportionately affecting communities of color, immigrants and refugees in our state. The time is now to close the gap on persistent and historic health disparities. That is according to a new report (A Health Oregon: 21st Century Investments Report) released today by the Oregon Health Equity Alliance (OHEA), which provides a roadmap to key investment priorities needed at the state level.
The OHEA A Healthy Oregon: 21st Century Health Equity Investments report noted fourteen of fifteen studies found evidence that health professionals continue to evidence bias against People of Color in care and treatment. “The state must invest in culturally appropriate and responsive health services for communities of color” said Ashley Thirstrup, Director of Youth and Education Services at Native American Youth and Family Center and OHEA Steering Committee Co-Chair.
The report underscores the lack of public health funding, currently 21% lower than the median state, and provides policy recommendations and estimated costs in areas such as Access to Healthcare, Health Promotion and Chronic Disease, and Mental Health. OHEA’s Mend the Gap Policy Agenda and solutions to covering the 383,000 uninsured Oregonians are highlighted. These include Cover All Kids, Oregon Basic Health Plan and Reproductive Health Equity Act. “Now is the time to fulfill our promise to the 17,600 children excluded from Oregon’s Healthcare for All Oregon Children Act of 2009, and close the coverage gap for rural, women and working Oregonians” says Rev. Joseph Santos-Lyons, Executive Director of APANO and part of the research team.
Download the OHEA Health Disparities report: A Health Oregon: 21st Century Investments Report
Key Investments:
Ensure all children in Oregon have access to the Oregon Health Plan on day one of school up to 300% FPL. Estimated cost: $55M per biennium.
Expand state health insurance options, such as a Basic Health Plan, to cover approximately 90,000 Oregonians under 200% of the federal poverty level. This includes an estimated 10,000 Legal Permanent Residents and COFA Pacific Islanders who are excluded from federal medicaid. Estimated cost: $26 million.
Ensure that Oregonians receive the full range of preventive reproductive health services at zero out-of-pocket cost, fill gaps in reproductive health coverage for those categorically excluded from health programs due to citizenship status, and prohibit discrimination in reproductive health care.
Increase funding to schools in order to create school environments that better promote physical activity, nutrition and protect children from environmental toxins. Estimated cost: $75 million.
Mental and behavioral health services are underfunded and understaffed in Oregon. Everyone enrolled in the Oregon Health Plan who needs help with mental health or substance abuse issues should be able to receive care. Estimated cost: $316 million.
For a list of full investments visit the report at: A Health Oregon: 21st Century Investments Report
The Oregon Health Equity Alliance (OHEA) and member organizations are leading the way to improve access, affordability and innovation to mend the gap for the thousands of families left behind as Oregonians continue to pursue healthcare transformation.
