Children's Access to Health Care in Oregon: Act Now!

Sometimes a problem can seem greater than what we have to give it.  The lack of health care for so many of Oregon’s children is that way for me.  After the defeat of Measure 50 this past fall and last week's failure to override Bush's S-CHIP veto (by 15 votes!!), I wasn’t sure we had what it would take to find the needed resources and political will.  But Children First for Oregon’s Keep It Simple strategy gives me hope that – even if we can’t find new resources in an overlooked spot or redesign the programs to squeeze in 116,000 more kids – there’s something we can do – and we can do it NOW.  Of course, all this in the context of continued work to 'solve' the greater problem. 

Children First is recommending that the state take two actions that will bring more already eligible kids onto the Oregon Health Plan and keep them there: 

1. Extend the re-enrollment timing from six to 12 months in the February special session.  Washington did and a lot more kids stayed on the program – I mean, a lot.
2. Step up the marketing efforts to bring more already eligible kids onto the program.

Both are excellent recommendations because they connect already eligible kids with already approved resources.  Brilliant!

Your Turn!  Children's First has made it super easy to tell the good folks in Salem that you dig this idea.  The legislature's goal to keep this session short, effective, and non-controversial is a good fit for this simple plan.

Wanna Know More?  Children First has a 2-page policy brief that sums it up in record speed. Stay in the loop by signing up for Children First's e-updates. 

Comments

[Sean]

Thank you for posting this! We need all the help we can get to keep the focus on Oregon's kids.

Thank you!

Sean