January 17, 2019

Contact: Jonathan Modie, 971-246-9139, phd.communications@state.or.us

Tobacco Reduction Advisory Committee meets January 24

What: A public meeting of the Tobacco Reduction Advisory Committee.

Agenda items include Tobacco Panel Survey and tobacco surveillance data overview, state and local tobacco retail efforts overview, and legislative efforts check-in.

When: Jan. 24, 1-3 p.m.

Where: Portland State Office Building Room 1C, 800 NE Oregon St., Portland. Please note that space is limited.

Who: The Tobacco Reduction Advisory Committee is appointed by the Governor, comprising private organizations and state agencies dedicated to the reduction of the harmful impact of Oregonians’ tobacco use.

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Everyone has a right to know about and use Oregon Health Authority (OHA) programs and services. OHA provides free help. Some examples of the free help OHA can provide are:

• Sign language and spoken language interpreters
• Written materials in other languages
• Braille
• Large print
• Audio and other formats

If you need help or have questions, please contact Tara Weston, 971-673-1047, 711 TTY or a.e.weston@state.or.us">tara.e.weston@state.or.us at least 48 hours before the meeting.

January 17, 2019

Contact: Allyson Hagen, 503-449-6457, allyson.hagen@state.or.us (media inquiries)

Pete Edlund, 503-931-8873, .m.edlund@state.or.us">peter.m.edlund@state.or.us (meeting information or accommodation)

CCO Metrics and Scoring Committee to meet January 18

What: The regular public meeting of the Oregon Health Authority’s CCO Metrics and Scoring Committee.

When: January 18, 9 a.m. to noon.

Where: Clackamas Community College Wilsonville Training Center Room 210, 29353 SW Town Center, Loop E., Wilsonville. The public also may join remotely through a webinar at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/3895887851300669185 and listen-only conference line at 888-204-5984, access code 1277166.

Agenda: Welcome, consent agenda, and general updates; debrief from committee presentation to Health Plan Quality Metrics Committee; public testimony 9:35-9:45; update on Clinical Quality Metrics Registry; planning for 2020 measure set selection; adjourn.

For more information, please visit the committee's website at https://www.oregon.gov/oha/HPA/ANALYTICS/Pages/Metrics-Scoring-Committee.aspx.

# # #

Everyone has a right to know about and use Oregon Health Authority (OHA) programs and services. OHA provides free help. Some examples of the free help OHA can provide are:

• Sign language and spoken language interpreters
• Written materials in other languages
• Braille
• Large print
• Audio and other formats

If you need help or have questions, please contact Pete Edlund at 503-931-8873, 711 TTY, .m.edlund@state.or.us">peter.m.edlund@state.or.us, at least 48 hours before the meeting.

January 16, 2019

Media contact: Jonathan Modie, 971-246-9139, phd.communications@state.or.us

Comment period for Precision Castparts PHA extended to March 15

PORTLAND, Ore.—The Oregon Health Authority is extending the comment period for a public health assessment of Precision Castparts Corp. in southeast Portland by two months.

Public comments on the PHA, a draft of which was released Oct. 29, will be accepted through March 15, following requests for the extension from members of the public. The original comment deadline was Jan. 15. Comments can be made via email at ehap.info@state.or.us, or via postal mail at 800 NE Oregon St., Suite 640, Portland, OR 97232.

The draft assessment found that measured concentrations of metals in the air and metals and other chemicals in soil and water near the metal components manufacturer’s Southeast Harney Drive facility were below levels that would be expected to harm public health.

The public health assessment is available on the Public Health Division website at http://healthoregon.org/pccpha. For more information, email ehap.info@state.or.us.

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January 16, 2019

Media contact: Saerom England, 971-239-6483, om.y.england@state.or.us">saerom.y.england@state.or.us

Tri-County Regional Behavioral Health Collaborative Communities of Color Workgroup meets January 22 in Portland

What: The first public meeting of the Tri-County Regional Behavioral Health Collaborative Communities of Color Workgroup.

Agenda: Describe the Regional Behavioral Health Collaborative and focus on peer-delivered services and substance use disorder; discuss the role of the workgroup; review opportunities, barriers and resources identified at the November 6, 2018, kickoff meeting.

When: January 22, 2-4 p.m.

Where: Portland State Office Building, Room 1A, 800 NE Oregon Street, Portland.

Details: The Tri-County Regional Behavioral Health Collaborative brings together multiple sectors across the Portland metro area to collectively address and prevent behavioral health challenges. Its focus is on peer-delivered services and substance use disorder activities that can make an impact in 12 to 24 months.

For more information, see the RBHC website at https://www.oregon.gov/OHA/HSD/BHP/Pages/Regional-Collaboratives.aspx

# # #

Everyone has a right to know about and use Oregon Health Authority (OHA) programs and services. OHA provides free help. Some examples of the free help OHA can provide are:

•        Sign language and spoken language interpreters

•        Written materials in other languages

•        Braille

•        Large print

•        Audio and other formats

If you need help or have questions, please contact Summer Boslaugh at 503-753-9688, 711 TTY or email .h.boslaugh@state.or.us">summer.h.boslaugh@state.or.us at least 48 hours before the meeting.

January 16, 2019

Media contacts:

Delia Hernández, OHA, 503-422-7179, phd.communications@state.or.us

Marc Siegel, ODE, 503-947-5650, c.siegel@state.or.us">marc.siegel@state.or.us

OHA, ODE unveil online tool to prevent youth sexual violence

An online mapping tool is available to help communities in Oregon assess factors among adolescents that can lead to risky sexual practices and increase the risk of sexual violence.

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Oregon Department of Education (ODE) teamed up to introduce the Oregon Sexual Violence Prevention Resource Map that displays information to promote skills-based learning to prevent sexual violence. The map tool is part of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) grant to help its partner organizations prevent injuries such as sexual violence.

According to the data obtained by the Oregon Healthy Teens Survey, one in eight students, one in five female students, and one in five youth who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender reported they were pressured to engage in unwanted sexual activity.

"We hope this set of tools helps begin or continue a discussion in schools and communities about the importance of sex education and encourages schools to actively engage in these conversations," said Laura Chisholm, manager of the Injury and Violence Prevention Program, based at the OHA Public Health Division.

Skills-based learning can reduce high-risk sexual behavior, which leads to unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases but also increases risk of sexual violence. OHA and ODE are providing tools that support school districts to implement sex education that teaches:

• Skills-based approaches to safe, respectful dating.
• Building healthy relationships.
• Recognizing signs of emotional, psychological and physical abuse.
• Respecting each other’s differences.
• Identifying trusted adults to talk to about health, relationships and safety.
• Communicating personal boundaries.

In Oregon, local school districts are required to work with their communities to develop a plan of instruction that addresses these topics from kindergarten to 12th grade. OHA’s Public Health Division worked with ODE to survey local school districts and develop the mapping tool for local communities to better understand sexual health data, local resources and education.

"Sexual violence prevention education is an absolute necessity if we are truly committed to the well-being and academic success of our students and community," says Kristin Blomberg, Erin’s Law teacher on special assignment at the Hillsboro School District.

In accordance with Erin’s Law (2015) and the Healthy Teen Relationships Act (2011), school districts have already begun rolling out elementary and secondary instruction that focuses on sexual violence prevention as part of K-12 sex education.

"Providing sex education that teaches healthy relationships and healthy sexuality is one fundamental way that schools, parents, caregivers and communities can make a difference," Chisholm said.

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January 15, 2019

Media contact: Delia Hernández, 503-422-7179, phd.communications@state.or.us

State Trauma Advisory Board meets January 18 in Portland

What: A public meeting of the Oregon State Trauma Advisory Board (STAB).

Agenda: Case presentation, discuss Oregon Stop the Bleed program, future state trauma hospital surveys, Oregon Trauma Registry data.

When: January 18, 1-4:30 p.m.

Where: Portland State Office Building, Room 1B, 800 NE Oregon Street, Portland. The meeting also is accessible via webinar at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7980257989435053313.

Background: The State Trauma Advisory Board is established under ORS 431 to achieve continuous improvement in the quality of EMS care in Oregon. The committee is made of 18 members appointed by the director of the Oregon Health Authority.

Contact: Stella Rausch-Scott, committee coordinator, OHA Public Health Division, at 971-673-1322 or ausch-scott@state.or.us">stella.m.rausch-scott@state.or.us.

# # #

Everyone has a right to know about and use OHA programs and services. OHA provides free help. Some examples of the free help OHA can provide are:

• Sign language and spoken language interpreters
• Written material in other languages
• Braille
• Large print
• Audio and other formats

If you need help or have questions, please contact Stella Rausch-Scott at 971-673-1322, 711 TTY or ausch-scott@state.or.us">stella.m.rausch-scott@state.or.us at least 48 hours before the meeting.

January 15, 2019

Contact: Jonathan Modie, 971-246-9139, phd.communications@state.or.us

New law requires EMS agencies to use electronic patient care reporting system

OHA offers system free to agencies to report on every patient contact

The Oregon Health Authority is helping ambulance service agencies comply with a new law requiring they use electronic patient care reporting, which will streamline how they exchange information with hospital emergency departments and other health care partners.

Oregon Senate Bill 52, passed during the 2017 legislative session, mandates that transporting emergency medical services (EMS) agencies begin posting patient care reports electronically to a statewide database starting Jan. 1, 2019. OHA offers access to Oregon EMS Information System (OR-EMSIS) at no cost to all EMS agencies, regardless of what vendor an agency uses locally to gather and submit the patient care data. OHA’s free service includes use of a software program called ImageTrend Elite.

"This system effectively replaces the old paper system using clipboards and pens, that once was the predominant form of patient care reporting," said David Lehrfeld, MD, medical director for the EMS Program at the OHA Public Health Division. "Incorporating smart tablets that most people are already familiar with, this system is so much faster, so much more efficient, and will improve patient care and health outcomes."

EMS agencies simply choose their preferred software vendors—more than 40 are available—and work with OHA to test the product. They then run through a checklist for transitioning to the new system.

When contact with a patient is made during a call, EMS personnel log in to the system using a tablet device and create an electronic patient care record, which charts the patient’s assessment and care. Each piece of patient data is securely submitted to the hospital receiving the patient, as well as to OHA, which uses the information to assess clinical performance, quality improvement and effects of prehospital medical care.

More than half of Oregon EMS transport agencies (73 out of 136) have moved to the new data standard as of Dec. 31, with one in five Oregon agencies transitioning in 2018 (27 transport agencies). The remainder of agencies have been granted waivers to begin submitting data later in 2019. Visit http://healthoregon.org/or-emsis and look for "Agency Status" to see overall transition status of EMS transport agencies, along with the names of agencies and vendors who have achieved live status.

Drew Norris, deputy chief of EMS at Bend Fire & Rescue, said the system has improved patient calls "a ton."

"We couldn’t turn back now, now that we’re on this electronic patient care reporting system," Norris said. "It helps us get information to the hospitals. We’re able to post in the back of the ambulance to (ImageTrend) Hospital Hub, which is at each hospital, and give them information they need to help treat the patient sooner and more effectively once we get to the hospital."

Sherry Bensema, EMS coordinator at Lyons Rural Fire District and Ambulance Service, said the system has allowed her agency to be more responsive to the community’s needs—now and in the future.

 "We know we have a 7.5 percent increase in call volume this year because of the reports that I can run," Bensema said. "And then the dashboard in the product actually lets me spool up a unique report so I can actually see trends on my dashboard that I need to track on a monthly basis."

Kristy Carey, administrative specialist at Bend Fire & Rescue, likes that the system is user-friendly and customizable. "Once we got the crews on board and using it, after maybe a month, six weeks, they were like ‘Why didn’t we do this sooner?’"

For more information on the new system:

• OHA’s OR-EMSIS page: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/PROVIDERPARTNERRESOURCES/EMSTRAUMASYSTEMS/Pages/OR-EMSIS.aspx.
• Frequently asked questions: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/PROVIDERPARTNERRESOURCES/EMSTRAUMASYSTEMS/Documents/Rules%20and%20Statutes/PatientcarereportingFAQ.pdf
• OR-EMSIS data transfer graphic: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/PROVIDERPARTNERRESOURCES/EMSTRAUMASYSTEMS/Documents/Visio-Data-systems.pdf

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January 14, 2019

Media contact: Delia Hernández, 971-246-9139, phd.communications@state.or.us

EMS Committee meets January 18 in Portland

What: A public meeting of the Oregon EMS Committee.

Agenda: Vote for chair; Oregon EMS Information System; Oregon State Patrol first responder notice; rural EMS support.

When: January 18, 8:30 a.m. to noon.

Where: Portland State Office Building, Room 1B, 800 NE Oregon St., Portland. The meeting also is accessible via webinar at

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4849352449854427137.

Background: The EMS Committee was established under ORS 682 to achieve continuous improvement in the quality of EMS care in Oregon. The committee is made of 18 members appointed by the director of the Oregon Health Authority.

Contact: Stella Rausch-Scott, committee coordinator, OHA Public Health Division, at 971-673-1322 or ausch-scott@state.or.us">stella.m.rausch-scott@state.or.us.

# # #

Everyone has a right to know about and use OHA programs and services. OHA provides free help. Some examples of the free help OHA can provide are:

• Sign language and spoken language interpreters
• Written material in other languages
• Braille
• Large print
• Audio and other formats

If you need help or have questions, please contact Stella Rausch-Scott at 971-673-1322, 711 TTY or ausch-scott@state.or.us">stella.m.rausch-scott@state.or.us at least 48 hours before the meeting.

January 14, 2019

Media contact: Saerom England, 971-239-6483, om.y.england@state.or.us">saerom.y.england@state.or.us

Task force inquiries: Lisa Bui, 971-673-3397, ootg.info@dhsoha.state.or.us

OHA to convene Oregon Opioid Taper Guidelines Task Force

Applications due by Feb. 1

Oregon Health Authority is seeking applicants to serve on a task force that will develop clinical guidelines on opioid tapering.

These guidelines will build on the work of previous task forces that developed statewide opioid guidelines for chronic pain, acute pain, dentists and pregnant women. The existing guidelines have been built on available evidence, other federal and state guidelines, expert opinion, and public comment. Their purpose is to guide clinical decisions and encourage safe and compassionate prescribing and pain treatment statewide.

The Oregon Opioid Taper Guidelines Task Force should represent diverse perspectives and experiences with long-term opioids and tapering, including community members. Task force members would serve as appointees of OHA Director Patrick Allen. Those who wish to serve on the board should apply by 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1, 2019. Appointment decisions are expected to be announced in February. The task force will meet publicly once a month from March to August. The application and more details on the process are available on the OHA website.

OHA’s efforts to change the conversation and promote evidence-based pain treatment are contributing to significant progress in the opioid epidemic. Oregon’s prescription opioid-related deaths have decreased by 45 percent since 2006 and the rate of opioid prescription fills decreased by 28 percent since 2015.

 "In addition to preventing unnecessary and risky introduction of opioids to new patients, chronic pain patients currently receiving long-term opioids need compassionate, skilled care to taper to safer doses," said Katrina Hedberg, MD, state health officer and epidemiologist at OHA. "However, there are few resources and evidence related to tapering that clinicians can look to for guidance. We hope bringing together experts and community members around the state will help us develop a useful framework that promotes trusting dialogue, competent care and patient safety."

As part of Oregon’s broader efforts to reduce and prevent opioid-related harms, OHA has been expanding Oregon Health Plan coverage for a wide range of evidence-based pain management services. In July 2016 coverage went into effect for the treatment of back pain with services such as chiropractic manipulation, physical and occupational therapy, and acupuncture. This effort was coupled with reductions in opioid coverage for back pain to improve patient safety and function. OHA is considering a similar coverage update for several other chronic pain conditions that are not currently covered by OHP, including fibromyalgia. The topic is on the Jan. 17 meeting agenda of the Health Evidence Review Commission’s Value-based Benefits Subcommittee (VbBS).

"During the public deliberations of potentially adding coverage for certain chronic pain patients, while restricting access to opioids, it became clear that we needed to take a step back to fully consider the unintentional consequences of tapering patients too quickly or without adequate individualized support," said Dana Hargunani, MD, chief medical officer at OHA. "We appreciate the many patients, advocates and health experts who spoke up about their concerns."

While the evidence of harms related to long-term opioid use have been clear, much less is known about the potential risks of tapering. Patients and clinicians have advocated for personalized care with close attention to patients’ behavioral health and quality of life.

The taper guidelines task force members will meet in public in Portland. A conference line will be available for task force and community members who are unable to attend in person.

More information:

Opioid prescribing guidelines

Jan. 17 VbBS meeting agenda and materials

Application

Overview

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January 11, 2019

Media contact: Rebeka Gipson-King, 503-945-7141, ebeka.gipson-king@state.or.us">rebeka.gipson-king@state.or.us

Program contact: Jacee Vangestel, 503-945-2852, jacee.m.vangestel@state.or.us

Oregon State Hospital Advisory Board meets January 17 in Salem

What: The regular public meeting of the Oregon State Hospital Advisory Board.

When: January 17, 1-5 p.m.

Where: Oregon State Hospital, Brooks Conference Room, 2600 Center Street NE, Salem. The public can also attend via toll-free conference line at 888-278-0296, participant code 4294893.

Agenda: After the public comment period, topics will include updates on structural support of the advisory board, review of the charter, use of campus cottages, and the criteria for both transition for civil patients and supervised home visits.

Details: The Oregon State Hospital Advisory Board advises the superintendent, Oregon Health Authority director and legislators on issues related to the safety, security and care of patients. Members include consumers, providers, advocates, legislators, community members, consumer families and OSH union members.

For more information, see the board’s website at http://www.oregon.gov/oha/osh/Pages/advisory-board.aspx.

# # #

Everyone has a right to know about and use Oregon Health Authority (OHA) programs and services. OHA provides free help. Some examples of the free help OHA can provide:

• Sign language and spoken language interpreters
• Written materials in other languages
• Braille
• Large print
• Audio and other formats

If you need help or have questions, please contact Jacee Vangestel at

503-945-2852, 711 TTY or jacee.m.vangestel@state.or.us at least 48 hours before the meeting.

January 10, 2019        

Contact: Delia Hernández, 503-422-7179, phd.communications@state.or.us

Conference of Local Health Officials meets January 17 in Portland

What: The monthly public meeting of the Conference of Local Health Officials (CLHO).

Agenda: Update on Public Health Advisory Board Incentives and Funding Committee work; change to WIC program element; School Based Health Center funding recommendation; possible Public Health Intergovernmental Agreement changes for 2019-2021.

When: January 17, 9:30-11:30 a.m. The meeting is open to the public. No conference call option is available for the public.

Where: Portland State Office Building, Room 1C, 800 NE Oregon Street, Portland.

The Conference of Local Health Officials provides recommendations to the Oregon Health Authority on the foundational capabilities and programs and any other public health program or activity under ORS 431.147. (ORS 431.340)

Program contact: Danna Drum, 503-957-8869, um@state.or.us">danna.k.drum@state.or.us.

# # #

Everyone has a right to know about and use Oregon Health Authority (OHA) programs and services. OHA provides free help. Some examples of the free help OHA can provide are:

• Sign language and spoken language interpreters
• Written materials in other languages
• Braille
• Large print
• Audio and other formats

If you need help or have questions, please contact Danna Drum at 503-957-8869, 711 TTY or um@state.or.us">danna.k.drum@state.or.us at least 48 hours before the meeting.

January 8, 2019

Contact: Allyson Hagen, 503-449-6457, allyson.hagen@state.or.us (media inquiries)

Pete Edlund, 503-559-2216, .m.edlund@dhsoha.state.or.us">peter.m.edlund@dhsoha.state.or.us (meeting information or accommodation)

All Payer All Claims Technical Advisory Group to meet January 10 in Portland

What: The regular public meeting of the Oregon Health Authority’s All Payer All Claims Technical Advisory Group.

When: January 10, 2-4 p.m.

Where: 421 SW Oak St., Ste 850, Abraham Room, Portland. Attendees can also join remotely through a webinar at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2239280069326082306 and conference line at 877-810-9415, participant code 1773452#.

Agenda: Introduction and meeting goals; general updates; 2020 administrative rule draft edits, timeline for 2020 administrative rule change, public comments.

For more information, please visit the committee's website at https://www.oregon.gov/oha/HPA/ANALYTICS/Pages/All-Payer-All-Claims-TAG.aspx.

# # #

Everyone has a right to know about and use Oregon Health Authority (OHA) programs and services. OHA provides free help. Some examples of the free help OHA can provide are:

• Sign language and spoken language interpreters
• Written materials in other languages
• Braille
• Large print
• Audio and other formats

If you need help or have questions, please contact Pete Edlund at 503-559-2216, 711 TTY, .m.edlund@dhsoha.state.or.us">peter.m.edlund@dhsoha.state.or.us, at least 48 hours before the meeting.

January 8, 2019

Media contact: Delia Hernández, 503-422-7179, PHD.Communications@state.or.us

Oregon Area Trauma Advisory Board, Region 7, meets January 9

What: A public meeting of the Oregon Area Trauma Advisory Board (ATAB), Region 7.

Agenda: Regional trauma outreach; regional transport capacity; and Stop the Bleed.

When: Wednesday, January 9, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Where: St. Charles Medical Center, Room C-D, Bend. Conference line: 971-337-0188

Who: The ATAB was established under ORS 431 for achieving continuous improvement in the quality of trauma care in Oregon. The committee is made of 17 members appointed by the director of the Oregon Health Authority.

Contact: Stella Rausch-Scott, committee coordinator, OHA Public Health Division, at 971-673-1322.

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Everyone has a right to know about and use OHA programs and services. OHA provides free help. Some examples of the free help OHA can provide are:

• Sign language and spoken language interpreters
• Written material in other languages
• Braille
• Large print
• Audio and other formats

If you need help or have questions, please contact Stella Rausch-Scott at 971-673-1322, 711 TTY or ausch-Scott@state.or.us">Stella.M.Rausch-Scott@state.or.us at least 48 hours before the meeting.

January 4, 2019

Media contacts: North Central Public Health District, 541-506-2600

Mike Matthews, Hood River County Health Department, 541-386-1115

Delia Hernández, Oregon Health Authority, 503-422-7179

Confirmed case of measles in individual who traveled to The Dalles and Hood River

On January 3 OHA received confirmation of a case of measles in a person who was infectious and spent time in The Dalles and Hood River between December 26 and December 31. At the time of this release, no additional cases of measles have been identified.

The individual was seen Wednesday, January 2, at a hospital in the Portland area, and measles was confirmed as the diagnosis on January 3. OHA and local public health agencies are actively monitoring the case.

"Measles is a highly contagious disease with the potential to cause significant health complications," said Miriam McDonell, MD, North Central Public Health District’s Health Officer. "Fortunately, due to very high vaccination rates in Oregon, cases of measles are quite rare."

Most Oregonians have been vaccinated against measles and their risk is low. Risk may be higher for unvaccinated persons who may have been exposed at one of these locations during these times only:

• The Discovery Center, The Dalles, Dec. 29, 1:30-4:30 p.m.
• Fred Meyer, The Dalles, Dec. 31, 5-6 p.m.
• Doppio Café, Hood River, Dec. 30, noon to 1 p.m.
• Goodwill, Hood River, Dec. 30, noon to 1 p.m.
• Full Sail Brewery, Hood River, Dec. 30, 1-2 p.m.
• OHSU Emergency Department, Portland, Jan. 2, 9 a.m. to noon.

After someone is exposed, illness usually develops in about two weeks, sometimes longer. Oregon public health officials are advising anyone who believes they have symptoms of measles to first call their health care provider or urgent care center by telephone to create an entry plan to avoid exposing others in waiting rooms. The symptoms of measles start with a fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes, followed by a red rash that usually begins on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.

OHA is working with local public health agencies to notify individuals of their potential exposure and to inform them of steps to take if they become ill in order to prevent more cases.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that spreads easily to people who are not immune. It is spread through the air after a person with measles coughs or sneezes. People with measles can spread the virus to others before they develop a rash. The virus can also linger in the air for minutes to hours after someone who is infectious has left.

This individual traveled from out of the county and followed the recommended precautions to avoid exposing others, after becoming ill. Most measles cases in the US result from international travel; the disease is brought into the US by unvaccinated people who get infected in other countries.

"From this exposure, we would expect symptoms in anyone newly infected to appear any time over the next two weeks," McDonell said.

About measles

Measles poses the highest risk to pregnant women, infants under 12 months of age and people with weakened immune systems. A person is considered immune to measles if ANY of the following apply:

1. You were born before 1957.
2. Your physician has diagnosed you with measles.
3. A blood test proves that you are immune.
4. You have been fully vaccinated against measles (two doses).

People are contagious with measles for four days before the rash appears and up to four days after the rash appears.

Common complications of measles include ear infection, lung infection, and diarrhea. Swelling of the brain is a rare but much more serious complication. In developed countries, one or two out of every 1,000 children with measles will die from the disease.

Anyone with questions about measles infection or the measles vaccine should call their primary care provider or their county health department. For more information on measles for the public, please visit the OHA measles webpage at https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/DISEASESCONDITIONS/DISEASESAZ/Pages/measles.aspx or call the public health departments in the following counties:

• North Central Public Health District (Wasco, Sherman and Gilliam counties) 541-506-2600.
• Hood River County Health Department, 541-386-1115.

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January 4, 2019

Contact: Allyson Hagen, 503-449-6457, allyson.hagen@state.or.us

OHA seeks public comment on draft application for 2020-2024 coordinated care contracts

The Oregon Health Authority has released a draft request for applications (RFA) which lays out the requirements applicants must meet to serve Oregon Health Plan members for the next five years of coordinated care contracts, also known as "CCO 2.0."

OHA will be accepting public comment on the draft RFA until 10 a.m. January 14. The final RFA will be released January 25. Letters of intent to apply will be due to OHA on February 1.

Oregon first established coordinated care organizations (CCOs) in 2012 to transform health care delivery in the state. CCOs bring together physical, behavioral, and oral health providers to coordinate care for people on the Oregon Health Plan. They are designed to improve health and reduce costs by providing more coordinated, flexible and innovative services and are rewarded for achieving specific health outcomes and quality measures.

"CCOs are a critical component of health transformation in Oregon," said OHA Director Patrick Allen. "The standards and expectations that will guide their selection are important to many stakeholders, not only to those who may apply. This is why I want to provide an opportunity for Oregonians to let us know if we’ve hit the mark on setting expectations for CCOs that will improve care for members and transform our health care system."

The draft RFA advances the policy recommendations approved by the Oregon Health Policy Board in October, which addressed Governor Kate Brown’s four priority areas for improvement:

• Improve the behavioral health systems and address barriers to access to and integration of care.
• Increase value and pay for performance.
• Focus on social determinants of health and health equity.
• Maintain sustainable cost growth and ensure financial transparency.

It also addresses member enrollment and rate setting processes that were discussed during public input sessions in November.

Member enrollment and distribution

The draft RFA lays out a proposed process for member enrollment and distribution in the event there is a change in CCO availability. The process allows members to choose a CCO, and for those who do not make a choice, prioritizes keeping members with their current primary care and behavioral health providers.

Rate setting

OHA also has changed the rate development methodology used to set the capitation rates (amount paid to CCOs per member per month). Among these changes is the implementation of service area-specific rates that are developed with area factors supplemented with health-based risk factors. This means proposed 2020 rates will account for each of nine service areas’ unique differences in the cost of delivering services and the risk associated with the members they serve. The service areas proposed in the RFA are subject to change once CCOs are awarded, which will impact the final rates. Other changes aim to reward CCOs that are high performing and show success in achieving the sustainable rate of growth.

OHA expects to announce the awards for the CCO contracts in July.

Public comment on the draft RFA must be submitted through the CCO 2.0 email inbox at CCO2.0@state.or.us by 10 a.m. January 14.

OHA will continue to provide updated information about the CCO 2.0 RFA process and answers to frequently asked questions on the CCO 2.0 page on the OHA website.

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January 3, 2019

Contact: Jonathan Modie, 971-246-9139, phd.communications@state.or.us

Dental Pilot Project Advisory Committee meets January 14

What: The quarterly meeting of the state Dental Pilot Project Advisory Committee; the meeting will cover Dental Pilot Project #200, “Training Dental Hygienists to Place Interim Therapeutic Restorations.”

Agenda: Review site visit findings; discuss next site visit; discuss revised administrative rules for Dental Pilot Project program; review adverse event classification process; update by project sponsor.

When: Jan. 14, 9:30-11:30 a.m. A public comment period will be held at the end of the meeting.

Where: Oregon Health & Science University Moody Building (South Waterfront), Conference Room 129, 3030 SW Moody Ave., Portland. Conference line: 888-273-3658, access code 766409

Background: Dental Pilot Projects are intended to evaluate the quality of care, access, cost, workforce, and efficacy by: teaching new skills to existing categories of dental personnel; developing new categories of dental personnel; accelerating the training of existing categories of dental personnel; or teaching new oral health care roles to previously untrained persons.

Program contact: Sarah Kowalski, 971-673-1563, ah.e.kowalski@state.or.us">sarah.e.kowalski@state.or.us.

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Everyone has a right to know about and use Oregon Health Authority (OHA) programs and services. OHA provides free help. Some examples of the free help OHA can provide are:

• Sing language and spoken language interpreters
• Written materials in other languages
• Braille
• Large print
• Audio and other formats

If you need help or have questions, please contact Sarah Kowalski at 971-673-1563, 711 TTY or ah.e.kowalski@state.or.us">sarah.e.kowalski@state.or.us at least 48 hours before the meeting.

January 3, 2019

Contact: Allyson Hagen, 503-449-6457, allyson.hagen@state.or.us

Oregon Health Policy Board meeting, annual retreat January 8

What: The monthly meeting and annual retreat of the Oregon Health Policy Board.

When: January 8, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: The White Stag Building, rooms 142-144, 70 NW Couch St., Portland. Members of the public can call in to listen by dialing 888-808-6929, participant code 915042#.

Agenda: welcome; minutes approval; public testimony; OHA leadership update; Healthcare Workforce Committee student membership possible vote; retreat goal and agenda overview; Governor’s priorities discussion; OHPB 2019 priorities discussion; committees of the board updates and liaisons; health care cost containment discussion; SB 419 Taskforce briefing; small group discussion about cost focus area; small group report out; outstanding items, summary and next steps.

For more information on the meeting, visit the board’s meeting page.

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Everyone has a right to know about and use Oregon Health Authority (OHA) programs and services. OHA provides free help. Some examples of the free help OHA can provide are:

• Sign language and spoken language interpreters
• Written materials in other languages
• Braille
• Large print
• Audio and other formats

If you need help or have questions, please contact Jeff Scroggin at 541-999-6983, 711 TTY at least 48 hours before the meeting.

January 2, 2019

Contact: Delia Hernández, 503-422-7179, phd.communications@state.or.us

Public Health Advisory Board meets January 17

What: The regular public meeting of the Public Health Advisory Board.

Agenda: Review charter, bylaws and 2019 work plan; hear updates on Oregon’s public health response to opioids; hear updates on Public Health Modernization.

When: Thursday, January 17, 2-5 p.m. The meeting is open to the public. A public comment period will be held at the end of the meeting.

Where: Portland State Office Building, Room 1E, 800 NE Oregon St.,  Portland; watch via webinar, or by phone: 877-873-8017, access code 767068#.

Oregon’s Public Health Advisory Board provides guidance for Oregon’s governmental public health system and oversees the implementation of public health modernization and Oregon’s State Health Improvement Plan.

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Everyone has a right to know about and use Oregon Health Authority (OHA) programs and services. OHA provides free help. Some examples of the free help OHA can provide are:

•          Sign language and spoken language interpreters

•          Written materials in other languages

•          Braille

•          Large print

•          Audio and other formats

If you need help or have questions, please contact Kati Moseley at 971-673-2284, 711 TTY or ina.moseley@state.or.us">katarina.moseley@state.or.us at least 48 hours before the meeting.

January 2, 2019

Contact: Jonathan Modie, 971-246-9139, phd.communications@state.or.us

OHA grants support State Health Improvement Plan development

Seven community-based agencies to help inform state health priorities

The Oregon Health Authority Public Health Division awarded a total of $49,000 to seven community-based agencies to help inform the priorities for the next State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP).

Funded agencies are using the $7,000 "mini-grants" to host community events and listening sessions, and disseminate surveys to get feedback from communities most affected by health disparities. Communities will be asked to prioritize health concerns among their populations, which will be used to determine the priorities for the 2020-2024 SHIP. Funded agencies and communities they serve include: 

• Q Center—Serves persons who identify as LGBTQIA+ living in the Portland metro area.
• Eastern Oregon Center for Independent Living—Serves the disability community in 13 rural and frontier counties of Eastern Oregon.
• Micronesian Islander Community (of Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon)—Serves the Micronesian and Pacific Islander community, including Compact of Free Association (COFA) citizens, throughout the Willamette Valley.
• Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB)—Serves all federally recognized tribes in Idaho, Oregon and Washington, including the nine tribes located in Oregon.
• Self Enhancement Inc.—Provides education, advocacy, and wraparound support services for the African American/black community and other underserved youth and families across the Portland metropolitan area. 
• Next Door—Serves Latinx and Native American communities throughout the Columbia River Gorge area via Nuestra Comunidad Sana (Our Healthy Community).
• Unite Oregon—Serving people of color, immigrants and refugees, and LGBTQ-identified people in Jackson and Josephine counties.

The Public Health Division is collecting community feedback through end of January to help determine the next priorities for the SHIP. To provide comment, an online survey is available in English or Spanish. Comments also can be submitted to lichealth.policy@state.or.us">publichealth.policy@state.or.us. The PartnerSHIP, the steering committee responsible for developing the next SHIP, will review this feedback in February before determining the final priorities.

More information about the SHIP is at http://www.healthoregon.org/2020ship. Sign up for the SHIP email list to receive updates and information about future opportunities to engage in the development of this plan.  

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Spanish version below
Versión en español se ubica abajo

December 28, 2018
Media contact: Delia Hernández, 503-422-7179, phd.communications@state.or.us 
New Year’s resolutions for a healthy 2019
Oregon Health Authority shares health resources

PORTLAND, Ore.—Everyone has goals for the new year—things they want to accomplish for themselves or their loved ones. The Oregon Health Authority is encouraging people to consider making health one of their top priorities. 
Whether choosing to get a flu shot or quit tobacco, the decisions people make about their health affect not only their longevity and quality of life, but also the health of the entire state. To this end, the OHA is offering the following ideas for those considering New Year’s resolutions for 2019:
Get a flu vaccine
Protect your families, co-workers, neighbors and community from the flu. Cases of flu are on the rise across Oregon, but it’s not too late to get vaccinated. To find flu vaccine clinics, visit www.flu.oregon.gov and use OHA’s flu vaccine locator tool. 
Quit tobacco
Nearly 3 in 5 Oregonians who smoke want to quit. If you or someone you know is ready to quit tobacco, free help is available. Contact the Oregon Quit Line at 1-800-QUIT-NOW or online at www.quitnow.net/oregon  or in Spanish at 1-855-DÉJELO-YA or online at www.quitnow.net/oregonsp.
Move more
Add walking as a family activity in the evenings instead of watching television. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children and adolescents get 60 minutes of aerobic physical activity each day and adults get at least 150 minutes a week. Increasing a person’s physical activity can improve overall health and reduce the risk of chronic disease. To learn how to incorporate more physical activity into your family’s busy routine visit https://health.gov/moveyourway/.

Eat better
Shared and family meals not only improve nutrition but also build stronger family bonds and emotional health. Learn how to easily make healthy eating part of your everyday life at https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/healthy_eating/index.html.
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28 de diciembre, 2018
Contacto para medios: Delia Hernández, 503-422-7179, phd.communications@dhsoha.state.us.or
Propósitos saludables para este año nuevo 2019
Oregon Health Authority comparte recursos de salud

PORTLAND, Ore.—La mayoría de las personas tienen metas para el nuevo año—cosas que desean cumplir para ellos mismos o sus seres queridos. Oregon Health Authority (OHA, por sus siglas en inglés) anima a la gente a considerar hacer la salud una de sus prioridades. 
Elegir vacunarse contra la gripe o dejar de fumar, son decisiones que hacen las personas que no solo afectan su longevidad o calidad de vida, pero la salud de todo el estado. Con este fin, OHA ofrece las siguientes ideas para los que deseen hacer propósitos de año nuevo para el 2019.
Vacunarse contra la influenza (gripe)
Protejan a sus familias, compañeros de trabajo, vecinos y comunidad de la influenza. Casos de la gripe estacional ascienden a lo largo del estado de Oregon, pero no es demasiado tarde para vacunarse. Para ubicar una clínica de vacunación visite www.flu.oregon.gov.
 Dejar el tabaco
Casi 3 de cada 5 residentes de Oregon que fuman desean dejar de hacerlo. Si usted o alguien que conoce quiere dejar el tabaco, hay ayuda gratuita disponible en español. Llame al 1-855-DÉJELO-YA o visite www.quitnow.net/oregonsp. Para ayuda en inglés llame al 1-800-QUIT-NOW o visite www.quitnow.net/oregon.
Más actividad física
Se debe agregar caminar como una actividad familiar en las tardes en lugar de ver televisión. Según los Centros para el Control y Prevención de enfermedades, niños y adolescentes deben obtener 60 minutos de actividad física aeróbica cada día y adultos al menos 150 minutos por semana. Aumentar la actividad física puede mejorar la salud en general y reducir el riesgo de enfermedades crónicas. Para incorporar más actividad física en la rutina diaria ocupada de su familia visite https://health.gov/MoveYourWay/es/.

Comer saludable
Las comidas compartidas o en familia no solo mejoran la nutrición, pero además fortalecen los vínculos familiares y la salud emocional. Familias pueden aprender cómo convertir la alimentación saludable en un parte de su vida diaria:
https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/spanish/healthyeating/index.html.

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