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You're invited to join me and Senator Lieber for a joint town hall focused on behavioral health next Tuesday, November 9th at 5:00 PM. Please register in advance for this meeting - after registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
 We look forward to discussing how transformative investments made by the Oregon Legislature will address the crises that we see around the state. If you have any questions about the town hall or difficulty registerting, please contact Gordon Levitt - gordon.levitt@oregonlegislature.gov.
We hope to see you next Tuesday!
A few weeks ago, I was excited to get out for a beautiful morning walk to support first-generation college scholarships at Tualatin High School and opportunities for school-aged children in our community. Thank you to Tualatin Mayor Frank Bubenik, and Tigard-Tualatin school board members David Jaimes, Jill Zurschmeide, Marvin Lynn and Ben Bowman for turning out to support Tualatin Rotary Club at the annual Regatta run/walk.
It was also great to see my colleague State Senator Deb Patterson - congrats to her daughter Sophia for finishing 2nd among women in the race.
  
One of the pieces of legislation from the 2021 legislative session that I'm most excited about is HB 2590. The bill established a Task Force on Student Success for Underrepresented Students in Higher Education. Thanks to the chairs of the Senate and House Education Committees - Senator Dembrow and Representative Alonso Leon - for their leadership to advance this bill, and to all of the students that testified about why we need to do more to help underrepresented students succeed at Oregon’s universities. I look forward to serving on the taskforce.
You can tune into the taskforce's first meeting on Thursday, November 18th at 11 am. More information on the meeting is available at this link. Click the small camera logo to the right of "11/18/2021 11:00 AM" on the morning of the meeting to watch.
 PC: State of Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission
From the Oregon Health Authority:
Last week, The Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup recommended the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 boosters for certain populations of fully vaccinated people.
Moderna booster dose recommendations
The following groups of people who received the Moderna vaccine should receive a booster dose at least six months after their second dose:
- People 65 years and older.
- People 18 years and older who live in long-term care settings.
- People 50 years and older who have underlying medical conditions, increased risk of social inequities, or disabilities (including intellectual and developmental disabilities).
These groups may also get a booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at least six months after their second dose:
- People 18 years and older who have underlying medical conditions, increased risk of social inequities, or disabilities (including intellectual/developmental disabilities).
- People 18 years and older who live or work in high-risk settings.
Johnson & Johnson booster dose recommendation
Everyone 18 years and older who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine should receive a booster dose at least two months after their first dose. People eligible for booster doses can get one using any of the three COVID-19 vaccines. Booster doses may be any brand of vaccine, regardless of the vaccine you received for the initial dose(s) of the series.
- “Mix-and-match” dosing for people eligible for Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson booster doses is allowed.
- People can now get a booster dose at any location that provides COVID-19 vaccines, depending on advice from their health care provider, individual preference, availability or convenience.
- Vaccinations remain the most effective tool for slowing the spread of COVID-19.
- To find a vaccine near you, visit the locator map at Get Vaccinated Oregon.
To read more, visit Oregon Vaccine News.
 
With many of us out and about in the world more frequently than at this point last year, it seems that fall sickness is all around. Please read this FAQ sheet from the Oregon Health Authority and review the graphic below for help distinguishing symptoms.
Medicare open enrollment is from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, 2021. The new 2022 Oregon Guide to Medicare Insurance Plans is now available to help you decide which plan works best for you.
This enrollment period includes Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans. Medicare plans and coverage for prescription drugs change each year, so it is important for Oregonians who are enrolled in Medicare to evaluate their plan options and make changes during open enrollment.
The Oregon Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance Program with the Oregon Department of Human Services is available to help Oregonians understand
The Oregon Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance Program (SHIBA) also has counselors available to help you understand your Medicare options and benefits, provide enrollment guidance, and answer any questions related to Medicare benefits. Find them by visiting https://SHIBA.Oregon.gov or calling (800) 722-4134 (toll-free).
Last week, we crossed the 80% line for Oregonians 18+ receiving vaccines. With vaccines becoming available for 5-11 year old children, we are ramping up toward fuller vaccination across the state. It's now possible to start scheduling appointments with certain medical providers for the pediatric dose of the vaccines. More information is available in this latest newsletter from the Oregon Health Authority: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/ORDHS/bulletins/2fa9e49.
While case numbers are still high, it is crucial to remember that a positive case of Covid-19 is very different than severe illness and hospitalization from the virus. All of the vaccines are working to prevent the vast majority of cases from leading to severe illness and hospitalization. Let's continue to drive down the number of fatalities and maintain our momentum so that this year's holiday season can be safer and more joyous than last year.
  Oregon Senate Majority Leader Rob Wagner
Senate District 19
email: Sen.RobWagner@OregonLegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1719
address: 900 Court St NE, S-223, Salem, OR, 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/wagner
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