News
October 2008
Springboard Innovation
Springboard Innovation has made it into The Oregonian. Read the article Social entrepreneurs make dreams real--and sustainable.
June 2008
Oregon School-Based Health Care Network
Oregon Department of Health and Human Services has just released its annual status report. The 2008 report, "School-Based Health Centers - Health Care Counts: Healthier Youth, Stronger Communities" includes an update on history, locations, services, assessment, funding, challenges, growth, and expansion of school-based health centers. Click here to access the report online.
Source: School Health Weekly, Oregon School-Based Health Care Network's e-newsletter.
Project Access NOW
- In three months since the start of operation, 78 patients have been enrolled in Project Access NOW and about 50 are in the process of qualifying.
- The Vancouver Clinic, Surgical Associates, The Radiology Group, Radiology Specialist of the NW and Pacific Oncology are the most recent official participants in Project Access NOW.
- Pharmacy Bridge was launched on June 2nd, providing access for enrolled patients to a mostly generic formulary through the generosity of Providence Health Plan. Now patients being served by Project Access NOW and also patients of clinics belonging to the Coalition of Community Health Clinics (13 safety net clinics in Multnomah County) are able to provide patients with basic medications for a $4 co-pay through the pharmacy benefit management system that serves Providence Health Plan. This service allows volunteers to prescribe medications just as they would for insured patients and allows patients to access these medications through participating pharmacies just as if they had health insurance.
- Project Access NOW has been in partnering with The United Way of the Columbia-Willamette, as a fiscal sponsor. Starting July 1, 2008, Project Access NOW will take on responsibility for its financial accounts.
- Education, including trainings and workshops
Source: Linda Nilsen-Solares, Executive Director, Project Access NOW
May 2008
Oregon School-Based Health Care Network
Here's proof that our advocacy works: thanks to all the calls to congress people about a bill to place a moratorium on several harmful Medicaid regulations that are scheduled to go into effect this year, HR 5613 passed in the House. Here's a note from Congressman Walden's legislative aide, Valerie Henry.
"Knowing of your interest in HR 5613, the Medicaid Safety Net Act, I thought you would be interested to know that the House passed the bill, 349-62 (a veto proof margin). Congressman Greg Walden voted for the bill this afternoon.
As you know, HR 5613 would place a moratorium on several Medicaid regulations pending at CMS, including Medicaid school-based administrative services, Medicaid Graduate Medical Education and Intergovernmental Transfers among others. The bill moves over to the Senate now for further consideration.
Thanks for all the input you provided to Congressman Walden (and me). It is always helpful to know how specific federal proposal will impact Oregonians. I'll keep you posted as the bill advances through the legislative process."
Source: School Health Weekly, an e-newsletter of the Oregon School-Based Health Care Network.
April 2008
Project Access NOW
Spring has been an exciting season for Project Access NOW. Project Access Clark County was pleased to become the fifth county in Washington State to implement Project Access, launching PACC as a program of Free Clinic of Southwest Washington in March. DOCS (Doctors Offering Community Service), a 20-year old specialty access program in Portland, expanded in March to include the resources of Project Access Multnomah County. The transition was completed in April, 2008. Project Access Washington County is building momentum to launch its Project Access pilot program in April as an exciting new program of the Essential Health Clinic. Finally, Project Access Clackamas County is in the early stages of developing a program, and is eager to join other counties in the Project Access NOW network in expanding access to health care for the low-income uninsured communities.
Source: Project Access NOW website.
