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To contact me, please click here: Sen.DebPatterson@oregonlegislature.gov
Dear friends and neighbors,
Many people have contacted me with concerns about access to the COVID-19 vaccine. People who want vaccines in Oregon are struggling to get them, even if they are over 65 or have a prescription. This is a very frustrating situation, entirely caused by actions taken at the CDC, and the various interpretations around the lack of clarity surrounding access.
Some organizations, such as Kaiser, are continuing to offer COVID-19 vaccinations for all of their patients over the age of 6 months without a doctor's prescription, so it can be done. I suspect the issue is more about "will we be reimbursed" for the vaccine, and Kaiser is leaning on data that shows that vaccines save lives and hospitalizations, and will save them money in the long run, no matter what.
Pharmacies are in a different boat, as they are not insurers. The same is true for doctor's clinics.
I've contacted the Governor's office to see if she can use an Executive Order to make vaccines available to Oregonians and her office is checking whether that can be done, or if another path will work. Washington State has a different standing order, but that would need to be changed by legislative action, and our short session isn't until February. I will have a bill in the Senate Committee on Health Care, if necessary, to do that.
We hope to have much more clarity in the next few days. You can find more information here.
Kind regards,
Deb
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
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