What Happens Next?

Now that the 2024 session has ended, the work continues.  Governor Kotek is reviewing all of the 115 bills that passed out of the Legislature and has begun to sign some of them.  Unless the Governor vetoes a bill, any that are unsigned after 30 days also become law, either immediately, or 91 days after Sine Die, which was March 8^th, depending on what was written in the bill. 

We are in the process of beginning to plan for the next year’s informational sessions in Senate Healthcare during legislative days.  You can find the calendar here for upcoming legislative days and deadlines. We will be continuing to focus on transparency, affordability, and quality in healthcare moving forward. 

We are also beginning to sort through the many requests we have had for legislative concepts to be drafted for the 2025 session.  Legislative concepts for next year’s session must be submitted to the Legislative Counsel office by September 27^th. In addition, the work of the various boards, work groups, task forces, and commissions on which legislators sit, continues. It is gratifying to see so many Oregonians engaged in this important work. 

Finally, this is a great time to get out and enjoy all that Oregon has to offer and meet with neighbors across our community and beyond.  As a member of Rotary and the Salem City Club, as well as an active member of a few other groups, I’m anxious to get back and involved again. I look forward to an AAUW gathering this weekend, and a Monmouth-Independence Chamber of Commerce event coming up soon, along with public school events, and more. Hope to see you soon!

All the best,

Deb

Legislature Makes Targeted Investments Across Oregon

This year, Oregon Legislators are making targeted investments in programs to spur economic growth and support vulnerable Oregonians. Lawmakers passed Senate Bill 5701 and House Bill 5201 to send millions of dollars to communities across the state. Here are some of the highlights:

• $376 million to address homelessness and affordable housing through the Emergency Housing Stabilization and Production Package,
• $171 million in state, federal, and other funds to the Employment Related Day Care program, which helps working families pay for child car,
• $50 million in investments in cultural and entertainment organizations, which serve as community hubs and act as local economic engines,
• $12.2 million to implement the Summer EBT program and reduce child hunger during summer months when students do not receive meals through school, and
• $3 million to develop a social service and resource center in downtown Salem that will include affordable housing.

These investments will help provide Oregonians the resources they need in their communities. Click here to learn more.

Job Announcement: Community Organizer at Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon

Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon is seeking a Community Organizer to work alongside food-insecure communities in developing a plan to transform our state through food justice and sovereignty, called the Roadmap to End Hunger. This role is responsible for running a state-wide stakeholder engagement process, as well as performing outreach and support to community members in navigating the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps.

The organization is especially interested in hearing from candidates from rural parts of Oregon.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Priority review begins March 28, 2024.

Find out more at https://oregonhunger.org/employment/.

Prescription Drug Affordability Board Consumer Forums

The Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) is seeking input and ideas on how to make prescription drugs more affordable. The board has scheduled community forums throughout the state and on online during April and May to hear stories from consumers about the challenges they may be having with the cost of prescription drugs.

The forums will provide an opportunity for anyone who feels their life has been affected by the costs of prescription drug prices and medication costs to share feedback.

For more information on how to participate, view the announcement here.

What to Do if your OHP is Ending

During the pandemic, eligibility for the Oregon Health Plan was temporarily expanded.  While 4 out of 5 Oregonians who had OHP are still qualified to keep their coverage, others will no longer be eligible for coverage under the Oregon Health Plan.  However, there are still options for coverage. Here are some steps you can take if your OHP is ending. 

• First, review the case summary in your letter to make sure the information used to make the decision was correct. If that information has changed, notify the state. You can call the ONE Customer Service Center at 800-699-9075 (toll-free, all relay calls accepted) or find other options to connect at benefits.oregon.gov. If the information on file for you is correct and you disagree with the decision, you can request a hearing. Learn more about hearings.
• Explore options through an employer. If you, your spouse, or a parent are working, you may be eligible for health coverage through that employer. Talk to your manager or Human Resources department to see if you qualify. You will have a special enrollment period to enroll mid-year due to loss of OHP benefits.
• If you have or are eligible for Medicare: For help understanding and choosing the right Medicare options, go to OregonHealthCare.gov/GetHelp to find an insurance agent or a counselor at the Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance Program (SHIBA). You can also call SHIBA at 800-722-4134.

If you need to sign up for Medicare for the first time, contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) at 800-772-1213 to enroll by phone or find a local office. You can also enroll in Medicare online at ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up.

• Nearly 80 percent of Oregonians qualify for financial help through the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace. Visit OregonHealthCare.gov/WindowShop to answer a few quick questions, find out how much you can save and find out how much coverage may cost you. You can also call the Marketplace Transition Help Center at 833-699-6850 (toll-free, all relay calls accepted).
• Need free local help finding other coverage? Visit OregonHealthCare.gov/GetHelp to find professional help near you.

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) are committed to transparency and will continue to send monthly information about medical coverage among Oregonians as the agencies continue to track the programs. Check our ONE Eligibility Operations Dashboards for more frequent updates on medical renewal data and wait times for callers to the ONE Customer Service Center.

Talk on Tribal Histories

Tribal Histories of the Willamette Valley is the subject of a talk by Dr. David Lewis, Grand Ronde Tribal member, OSU Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Indigenous Studies, and author. He will discuss the removal of water and return of cultural fire and what this means to tribal descendants on Tuesday, March 26, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Chemeketa Community College Main Campus, Salem Ag Sci Building No. 60. The lecture will be followed by a book signing. Bring your own copy of Lewis' book, "Tribal Histories of the Willamette Valley," win a copy, or purchase one at the event. Click here to RSVP.

Spring Break Activities in Salem Five downtown locations have joined together to create "Spring Break Passport to Fun," offering activities for the family during spring break week, March 25-30. State Capitol State Park, Willamette Heritage Center, Hallie Ford Museum of Art, World Beat Gallery, and Deepwood Museum have teamed up to offer families a fun and free, or discounted, way to fill the week off school with activities.  The passport is free and available to download. Passport stamps will be given at each location after the activity list is completed. After stamps have been gathered, children can enter to win one of three prize baskets. Click here to Download Spring Break Passport to Fun.

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1710
Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, S-411, Salem, OR, 97301
Email: Sen.DebPatterson@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/patterson