December 6, 2022

Media contact: Erica Heartquist, 503-871-8843

PHD.Communications@state.or.us

Conference of Local Health Officials meets Dec. 15 via Zoom.

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

Agenda: Committee appointments; Lead testing for refugees; Infection control certification and training; Public health accountability metrics; Alcohol and drug prevention program element; Additional funding for refuge tuberculosis screening; Public health advisory board public health modernization funding planning.

Agenda is subject to change and is posted with meeting materials on the CLHO website at http://www.oregonclho.org/ prior to meeting.

There is no public comment period during this meeting.

When: Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022, 9:30-11:30 a.m. 

Where: Via Zoom meeting. 

Members of the public seeking to attend must register for the meeting at  

https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItde2trDIuHi77O3JM8PRXSEpfLh2L6YY

Background: 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,  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 danna.k.drum@dhsoha.state.or.us at least 48 hours before the meeting.

December 6, 2022

Media Contact: Liz Gharst, elizabeth.a.gharst@state.or.us, 971-666-2476

OHA publishes first CCO performance metric dashboard

PORTLAND, Ore. – Oregon Health Authority’s Quality Incentive Program has published a new CCO performance metric dashboard so people can quickly find their metric of interest, see individual Coordinated Care Organization (CCO) trends over time and explore demographic breakouts at the CCO level.

The dashboard is OHA’s first presentation of quality measures broken out by Race, Ethnicity, Language, and Disability- (REALD) compliant data. REALD is a set of standards that offers more detailed demographic data.

Creation of the CCO performance metric dashboard follows OHA’s publication, in August 2022, of the CCO Metrics 2021 Final Report, a summary of performance by Oregon’s CCOs in 2021, which showed the results of Oregon’s Quality Incentive Program. The program provides financial rewards to CCOs for improving the quality of care provided to Oregon Health Plan members; the report highlighted statewide performance for 14 incentivized measures.

The report showed that although the COVID-19 public health emergency continued and the Delta variant drove a surge in hospitalizations and deaths, performance on CCO incentive metrics began to rebound in 2021 after sharp declines in 2020. However, the report showed only statewide averages for all CCO members, which can disguise inequities.

The REALD data included in the CCO performance metric dashboard includes data broken out by up to 42 race and ethnicity groups that were determined by the most affected communities. The metrics data is also broken out by up to 58 languages, including sign language and other less-commonly spoken languages. OHA will continue to refine how REALD data is used and reported in this dashboard and elsewhere.

Benefits of REALD data

Identifying and addressing inequities by REALD categories is essential to OHA’s strategic goal of eliminating health inequities by 2030. For example, Oregon is one of the first states in the United States to collect and publish health data on Pacific Islanders from countries affected by the Compact of Free Association (COFA) treaty. The treaty is the result of U.S. military occupation, atomic nuclear testing and ballistic military exercises that contaminated much of the environment and impacted the health of generations. There is very little health data on COFA citizens in Oregon and the collection of REALD data will allow the agency to understand how they have been affected by health inequities and state policies, and ensure that CCOs work toward improving access and quality of services for this community. 

The CCO metric performance dashboard shows trends and disparities, but not why they are happening.

“The dashboard is a starting point, laying the groundwork to engage communities in the future direction of the CCO Quality Incentive Program. Relying on quantitative data alone can have negative impacts,” said Stacey Schubert, director of Health Analytics at OHA. “Context and community input and engagement are needed to understand the meaning of the quantitative data in the dashboard.”

To view the dashboard, visit here.

December 1, 2022

Contact: Liz Gharst, 971.666.2476, elizabeth.a.gharst@dhsoha.state.or.us (media inquiries)

Kiari Chao, 503.931.3053, kiari.chao@dhsoha.state.or.us (meeting information or accommodation)

Health Information Technology Oversight Council to meet December 8

What: The regular public meeting of Health Information Technology Oversight Council.

When: December 8, 12:30pm to 3:30pm

Where: By webinar and conference line only. The public may join remotely through a webinar and conference line:

• Join the webinar at https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1601505107?pwd=WFBmNGxOSkJrV0RiUE5SLzlldDdLUT09
• Conference line: 669-254-5252, Meeting ID: 160 150 5107, Password: 811368

Agenda: Welcome, Introductions and HITOC Business (12:30-12:50); Public Comment (12:50-12:55); Health Information Exchange (HIE) Workgroup Updates (12:55-1:20); House Bill (HB) 4150 Report: Supporting Statewide Community Information Exchange (CIE) (1:20-1:40); CIE Workgroup Considerations for Privacy and Security of Statewide CIE (1:40-2:10); 10-Minute Break (2:10-2:20); CIE Workgroup Recommendations for Governance of Statewide CIE (2:20-2:50); Data Equity Framework for CIE Data Program (2:50-3:10); Strategic Plan Update (3:10-3:15); Health Information Technology (HIT) Policy & Program Updates (3:15-3:20); Public Comment (3:20-3:25); Closing Remarks and Meeting Adjourn (3:25-3:30)

For more information, please visit the committee's website at https://www.oregon.gov/oha/HPA/OHIT-HITOC/Pages/index.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:

• CART (live captions)
• 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 OHIT.Info@dhsoha.state.or.us or call 503.373.7859 at least 48 hours before the meeting. OHA will make every effort to provide services for requests made closer to the meeting.

November 30, 2022

Contact: Jonathan Modie, 971-246-9139, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Public Health Advisory Board workgroup schedules December, January meetings

What: The Public Health Advisory Board modernization funding workgroup will hold four meetings in December and January.

Agendas:

• Dec. 5: An optional educational opportunity for workgroup members to learn about the OHA 2023-25 Policy Option Package request for public health modernization.
• Dec. 6: Review planning and budgeting process to date, discuss vision and priorities for the public health system, and discuss prioritization of public health modernization funding in the 2023-25 biennium.
• Dec.16: Continue to discuss prioritization of public health modernization funding in the 2023-25 biennium.
• Jan. 9: Finalize recommendations for prioritization of public health modernization funding in the 2023-25 biennium.

When:

• Dec. 5, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
• Dec. 6, 3-5 p.m.
• Dec. 16, 1-3 p.m.
• Jan. 9, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

All meetings are open to the public. A public comment period will be held at the end of the meeting.

Where:

• Dec. 5: Zoom https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1604359165?pwd=VnViSnhsNjNtUXo3VlNkUktjZ2JlUT09 or conference call: (669) 254-5252, participant code 160 435 9165#
• Dec. 6: Zoom https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1605566274?pwd=czROS1BFMXMydGpZN3FzazB0TGNXZz09 or conference call: (669) 254-5252, participant code 160 556 6274#.
• Dec. 16: Zoom https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1601882559?pwd=TVMraGZtMTBkTnBXdFRMQllKTWxaQT09 or conference call: (669) 254-5252, participant code 160 188 2559#.
• Jan. 9: Zoom https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1615912737?pwd=NVBJTDcrOG4ySGsvSjZRYTZsbG9sUT09 or conference call: (669) 254-5252, participant code 161 591 2737#.

Background: 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.

# # #

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, contact Cara Biddlecom: at 971-673-2284, 711 TTY, or publichealth.policy@dhsoha.state.or.us, at least 48 hours before the meeting.

November 29, 2022

Contact: Jonathan Modie, 971-246-9139, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Public Health Advisory Board meets Dec. 8

What: The Public Health Advisory Board will hold a meeting.

Agenda: Approve November meeting minutes; discuss PHAB membership recommendations; discuss PHAB subcommittees; discuss public health modernization funding scenarios; review SB 1554 COVID-19 After-Action Report.

When: Thursday, Dec. 8, 3-5:30 p.m. The meeting is open to the public. A public comment period will be held at the end of the meeting.

Where: Zoom, https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1602414019?pwd=MWtPYm5YWmxyRnVzZW0vZkpUV0lEdz09 or conference call:

(669) 254-5252, participant code 1602414019#.

Background: 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.

# # #

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, contact Cara Biddlecom at 971-673-2284, 711 TTY, or publichealth.policy@dhsoha.state.or.us, at least 48 hours before the meeting.

November 29, 2022

Contact: Jonathan Modie, 971-246-9139, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Healthy Homes Task Force meets Dec. 8, Dec. 15 via Zoom

What: The Healthy Homes Task Force is holding two meetings in December.

Agenda: Please check the Interagency Task Force on Healthy Homes webpage for agendas, which will be posted prior to each meeting.

When: Thursday, Dec. 8, 10 a.m. to noon, and Thursday, Dec. 15, 10 a.m. to noon. Public comments will be collected during a 10-minute public comment period at the end each meeting.

Where: Zoom, https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1607162369?pwd=VTUzZzVUUWcvejJiZGpDUk1vWnRqQT09

Meeting ID: 160 716 2369

Passcode: 414009

One tap mobile

+16692545252,,1607162369# US (San Jose)

+16468287666,,1607162369# US (New York)

Background: The Healthy Homes Grant Program was established by House Bill 2842 of the 2021 Oregon legislative session. The legislation dedicated funding for home repair, lead or mold abatement, structural or safety improvements, and electrical upgrades that support energy efficiency for low-income and environmental justice communities. This legislation also established a Healthy Homes Task Force to help shape the development of the Healthy Homes Grant Program.

# # #

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, contact Jordana Leeb at (971) 393-8487, 711 TTY or jordana.a.leeb@state.or.us at least 48 hours before the meeting.

November 28, 2022

Contact: Jonathan Modie, 971-246-9139, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Oregon Opioid Settlement Prevention, Treatment and Recovery (OSPTR) Board meets Dec. 7

What: A public meeting of the Oregon Opioid Settlement Prevention, Treatment and Recovery (OSPTR) Board.

Agenda: Link to Meeting Agenda.

When: Wednesday, Dec. 7, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

Where: Via Zoom Meeting:

https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1615281501

Call in: 1-669-254-5252 (US)

Meeting ID: 161 528 1501

Passcode: 720243

Background: The Opioid Settlement Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Board (OSPTR Board) will determine how to allocate the State’s portion of Oregon’s opioid settlement funds. The OSPTR Board’s role and membership were established by the Oregon State Legislature in March 2022 through House Bill 4098.

Read more about Oregon’s opioid settlement funds at www.oregon.gov/opioidsettlement. Email questions to OHA.OpioidSettlement@dhsoha.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, contact the Oregon Opioid Settlement team at 971-678-1036, or OHA.OpioidSettlement@dhsoha.state.or.us, at least 48 hours before the meeting.

December 7th, 2022

Contact: Liz Gharst, 971.666.2476 elizabeth.a.gharst@dhsoha.state.or.us (media inquiries)

Jaime Taylor 503-689-7926 jaime.taylor@dhsoha.state.or.us  (meeting information or accommodation)

Health Care Workforce Committee to meet December 7 via Zoom meeting

What: A public meeting of the Health Care Workforce Committee

When: Wednesday, December 7th, 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Public comment will be taken at 9:05-9:10 a.m.

Where: Virtual Meeting Only. The public can join remotely via Zoom or a conference line. To join via Zoom:

https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1609728472?pwd=em5vd21sYkQ5bTlFdEFlcTVqallvQT09

+16692545252,,1609728472#,,,,*788862# US (San Jose)

Agenda: Convene HCWF Meeting, Presentation, Discussion and Approval and Discussion: Health Care Workforce Needs Assessment Draft Report, Update:  HOWTO Grant Program, Acknowledgment of Outgoing Members, Adjourn, Next Meeting – January 4, 2023 (Special Meeting)

For more information, please visit the Workforce Committee’s website at https://www.oregon.gov/oha/hpa/hp-hcw/pages/index.aspx

The Workforce Committee welcomes hearing from community members on the matters discussed by the committee and its other bodies, and other topics the public wishes the committee to consider.  If you wish to offer public comment, we appreciate you letting Marc Overbeck know in advance of the meeting, at marc.overbeck@dhsoha.state.or.us. Advance notice is not required in order to offer public comment at the meeting.  

# # #

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 Jaime Taylor at 503.689.7926, 711 TTY, jaime.taylor@dhsoha.state.or.us, at least 48 hours before the meeting.

November 29, 2022

Media contact: Erica Heartquist 503-871-8843

phd.communications@dhsoha.state.or.us

OHA updates recommended meal allowances for resident fish in Columbia Slough

Levels of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) found in resident species

PORTLAND, Ore. —Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is changing its recommendation on the amount of whole-body largescale sucker from the Columbia Slough that people should eat.

An OHA advisory for species in the Columbia Slough was last updated in 2019. That advisory was based on levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and mercury measured in fish collected by the City of Portland.

OHA recently developed a method to calculate meal recommendations for fish whose tissue contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances. PFAS are persistent and toxic chemicals found in a wide variety of consumer and industrial products, foods and drinking water. Given how prevalent PFAS are in our environment, these chemicals are found in the blood of people and animals worldwide. When consumed at high enough levels, PFAS chemicals can cause significant health issues.

For more information about PFAS, how you can be exposed and associated health issues, visit the PFAS webpage on the OHA Toxic Substances website.

If people are exposed to high enough levels, PFAS can:

• Affect growth, learning and behavior of infants and children.
• Lower a woman’s chance of getting pregnant.
• Interfere with the body’s hormones.
• Increase cholesterol levels.
• Affect the immune system.
• Increase the risk of certain types of cancer.

The United States Geological Survey recently collected fish from the Columbia Slough and researchers at Oregon State University analyzed the fish tissue for a variety of PFAS. The analysis found levels of one type of PFAS, perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), above levels of concern for health. As a result, OHA is adjusting meal recommendations for whole-body largescale sucker from the Columbia Slough from one meal per month to zero meals per month. All other meal recommendations currently in place in the Columbia Slough for other resident fish and for largescale sucker fillet remain unchanged.

The change in meal recommendations should be followed by everyone. If followed, OHA’s updated meal recommendations are designed to protect against these health effects. PFOS levels are much higher in internal organs, such as the fish liver, than in the fillet.

Updated Meal recommendations for largescale sucker in the Columbia Slough

*A meal is about the size and thickness of your hand, or one ounce of uncooked fish for every 20 pounds of body weight.

The Columbia Slough extends northwest from Fairview Lake to the Willamette River near Sauvie Island.

November 29, 2022

Media Contact: Erica Heartquist, 503-871-8843, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Outreach, vaccination efforts continue as mpox (monkeypox) cases jump

19 cases in 2 weeks renews effort to bolster access to Jynneos shot

PORTLAND, Ore. – An increase in Oregon cases of mpox – formerly known as monkeypox or hMPXV – over the last two weeks is a reminder that the virus has not gone away and that people should remain vigilant in protecting themselves from infection.

Health care providers are urged to keep mpox in mind when seeing patients with consistent symptoms regardless of reported risk, an Oregon Health Authority (OHA) physician says.

Tim Menza, M.D., Ph.D., senior health adviser for OHA’s mpox response, says the state’s number of mpox cases peaked in early August and has since dropped from 10 to 15 cases diagnosed per week at the height of the outbreak to just two to three cases per week in the last month. However, 19 cases of mpox have been reported to local public health departments since Nov. 9.

Oregon now has 259 mpox cases, including two pediatric cases. Infection rates are highest among people living in Multnomah County, those ages 30 to 39 and members of the Latinx and Black/African communities. Most cases identify as gay or bisexual men.

The initial large decrease in cases in Oregon and nationwide were the result of changes in behavior driven by a strong community-based response. Vaccination, in turn, has helped sustain that decrease in cases, Menza said. 

So far, 17,358 doses of Jynneos have been administered in Oregon, including more than 11,000 first doses and almost 6,000 second doses. Menza believes that there are many more people who could benefit from vaccination who have not yet received their first dose and that there are about 6,000 people who remain eligible for a second dose but have not yet received it. Second doses may lengthen the duration of protection and prevent future outbreaks in our communities.

Through case interviews with unvaccinated people who have been recently diagnosed with mpox, we have learned about some of the barriers to getting vaccinated.

“Some people reported that their healthcare providers have not offered them vaccination, that they did not know that vaccine was available and that they didn’t know how to get vaccinated,” Menza said. “Some told us that they had planned to get vaccinated but had put it off, or they assumed they had protection due to prior smallpox vaccination as a child.”

Others, he suggests, thought they weren’t at risk for mpox, or that it wasn’t a serious virus.

“While the number of new mpox cases in Oregon has been on a steady decline, this latest increase in cases tells us that mpox is still here,” Menza said. “We must continue our work with community partners on outreach efforts that encourage people to watch for symptoms, get tested and get vaccinated. Furthermore, we must continue to encourage healthcare providers to keep mpox top of mind when evaluating patients with consistent symptoms and to vaccinate patients who may be at greater risk of mpox infection.”

One of OHA’s more recent outreach efforts has involved Oregon public health officials calling or texting people who received the first dose of the Jynneos mpox vaccine to encourage and help them get a second dose. Those who received a first dose are eligible to get a second dose at least 28 days later.

Local and state public health officials have also been in contact with the Oregon Board of Pharmacy to get Jynneos into pharmacies and have emphasized it as part of sexual healthcare by advertising the vaccine’s availability at federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) across the state. To reduce stigma, health officials have encouraged people to get the mpox vaccine alongside COVID-19 boosters and flu shots and when they access HIV/STI testing, condom distribution, harm reduction supplies and education. Much of the outreach effort has focused on improving vaccine access in communities of color, including community-based vaccination opportunities

Mpox spreads primarily through close, skin-to-skin contact. Most often, it has occurred through intimate or sexual contact. It can also spread during contact with the lesions of an infected individual through a caregiving relationship, such as a parent caring for a child or an adult caretaker of another person.

People who suspect they have mpox should contact their health care provider to let them know before going in to be seen. The provider may recommend testing for mpox. Those who don’t have a health care provider can call 2-1-1 or their local public health authority to get help finding a clinic or health care provider.

For more information about mpox and Oregon’s response to the outbreak, visit OHA’s mpox (hMPXV) website. Vaccine clinics can also be searched by ZIP code with an mpox vaccine locator tool available at https://mpoxvaxmap.org/. In addition, https://covidvaccine.oregon.gov now lists vaccine events or locations that have mpox vaccine under the “ADDITIONAL INFORMATION” section of the event or location description.

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November 28, 2022

Contact: Jonathan Modie, 971-246-9139, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Public Health Advisory Board workgroup meets Dec. 2

What: A workgroup of the Public Health Advisory Board will hold a meeting.

Agenda: Discuss recommendations for changes to Public Health Advisory Board membership.

When: Friday, Dec. 2, 3-4:30 p.m. The meeting is open to the public. A public comment period will be held at the end of the meeting.

Where: Zoom, https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1617866484?pwd=cWpobUZSRnVySThMcUxHZG81VStadz09 or conference call: (669) 254-5252, participant code 1617866484#.

Background: 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.

# # #

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, contact Cara Biddlecom at 971-673-2284, 711 TTY, or publichealth.policy@dhsoha.state.or.us, at least 48 hours before the meeting.

November 28, 2022

Contact: Jonathan Modie, 971-246-9139, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Nurse Staffing Advisory Board to hold ad hoc meeting on civil monetary penalties

What: The Nurse Staffing Advisory Board is holding an ad hoc meeting to discuss civil monetary penalties.

Agenda: Review meeting agenda and items available in ad hoc board packet; CMP Committee recap; review written public comments received to date; public comment; discuss written and oral public comment, and recommendations to OHA on CMP process; summarize meeting, next steps.

The agenda and meeting materials will be available as a meeting packet on www.healthoregon.org/nursestaffing.

When: Friday, Dec. 2, 3–5 p.m.

Where: Zoom. To receive meeting login information, register for the meeting here: https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItduysqzsoHM0844EYrPDbM3hLH4_Hle8

Background: The Nurse Staffing Advisory Board advises Oregon Health Authority on the administration of Oregon’s nurse staffing laws; identifies trends, opportunities and concerns related to nurse staffing; makes recommendations to OHA based on those trends, opportunities and concerns; and reviews the enforcement powers and processes under Oregon’s nurse staffing laws.

Program contact: Kimberly Voelker, Mailbox.nursestaffing@odhsoha.oregon.gov

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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 material in other languages
• Closed captioning
• Braille
• Large print
• Audio and other formats

If you need help or have questions, contact Kimberly Voelker, MPH at 971-803-0914, 711 TTY or kimberly.n.voelker@dhsoha.state.or.us at least 48 hours before the meeting.

November 28, 2022

Contacts: Liz Gharst, 971-666-2476, Elizabeth.a.gharst@dhsoha.state.or.us (media inquiries)

Tara Chetock, 971-304-9917, tara.a.chetock@dhsoha.state.or.us (meeting information or accommodation)

Oregon Health Policy Board meets December 6, via Zoom

What: A public meeting of the Oregon Health Policy Board.

When: December 6, 8:30 am – 12:00 pm

Where: Virtual meeting only. The public can join remotely via Zoom or a conference line.

To join via Zoom: https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1604737337?pwd=WEJFeWJick9oVCsrT0RwcjEwaWdWZz09

To call in to the meeting on a mobile device, use the following number:

+16692545252,, 1604737337#,,,,,,0#,, 136235#

Proposed topics for the meeting agenda are listed below. The final meeting agenda and supporting materials will be posted on the OHPB website prior to the meeting. 

Agenda:

1. Roll Call, Welcome & Minutes Approval;
2. OHA Updates;
3. Post-Public Health Emergency (PHE) Eligibility Renewals Planning Updates;
4. OHA Government Relations: Leadership Transition and Legislative Preview;
5. Public Comment;
6. Health Equity Committee (HEC): Proposed Membership Slate & Charter Updates;
7. Oregon Coordinated Care Organization (CCO) Legislative Report Update;
8. Bridge Program: Task Force and Actuarial Analysis Update;
9. Closing Comments & Meeting Adjourn;

*To provide public comment, please submit your request for public comment at least 48 hours prior to the meeting at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/OHPB-Public-Comment

For more information and meeting materials, please visit the OHPB meeting webpage at https://www.oregon.gov/oha/OHPB/Pages/index.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
• CART (Communication Access Real-time Translation)
• Written materials in other languages
• Braille
• Large print
• Audio and other formats

If you need help or have questions, please contact Tara Chetock at 971-304-9917, 711 TTY, tara.a.chetock@dhsoha.state.or.us, at least 48 hours before the meeting.

November 23, 2022

Media Contact: Erica Heartquist, 503-871-8843, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Health experts ask people to take action to lower risk for children as RSV, flu cases push hospitals to brink

Health officials issue call to action to protect kids ahead of post-holiday surge in serious respiratory illnesses that will worsen pediatric ICU bed shortages

PORTLAND, Ore. – State health officials are asking people to take immediate, urgent action to protect children and ensure there are pediatric intensive care beds available in Oregon hospitals to treat any child or youth with a serious illness or injury. Oregon health officials expect respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases to peak after the Thanksgiving holiday, which will further strain pediatric hospital intensive care units in the Portland area that are already at their limit.

In response to Oregon’s acute shortage of pediatric intensive care beds, state health officials recommend that people:

• Stay home when sick.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with the inside of your elbow, or with a tissue that you immediately throw away after use.
• Clean and disinfect all high-touch surfaces, including doorknobs, faucets, chairs, countertops and tables.
• Regularly wash hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer, especially after coughing or sneezing into a tissue.
• Get a flu shot and stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations, including new bivalent boosters. There is no vaccine for RSV.
• Consider wearing a mask in crowded indoor spaces.

The recommendations come as at least two Portland-area hospitals – Doernbecher Children’s Hospital at Oregon Health & Science University and Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center – notified OHA they have enacted crisis standards of care for their pediatric intensive care units. Crisis care standards allow hospitals to adjust their staffing to help treat as many critically ill children in the state as possible.

Patrick Allen, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) said, “Oregon children’s hospitals are pushed to the limit. If you have young children and they get sick, there may not be a hospital bed for them. Our recommendations are a call to action for Oregonians to help slow the spread of respiratory disease and make sure no child’s life is put at risk because every pediatric ICU bed in our state is full with another seriously ill kid.”

“Multiple respiratory infections circulating in our community are of great concern to all of us in health care, says Providence St. Vincent Medical Center’s Genevieve Buser, MDCM, a pediatric infectious disease specialist. “Children have been especially hard hit, and we are caring for unprecedented numbers of very sick young people in our hospitals, immediate care facilities, and clinics. Right now, more than half of our kids sick enough to be hospitalized have RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), and almost all of those are babies less than 6 months of age. It causes babies to need oxygen to breathe, and even stop breathing.”

Dr. Buser added that since the Oregon region is in a crisis for critical pediatric hospital beds, “we should do what we can as a community to slow transmission to our most vulnerable neighbors,” including getting COVID and flu vaccinations. “Older adults, too--especially those with chronic lung disease--can become very ill with RSV, in addition to COVID and flu.”

State health officials are working with hospitals to bring additional nurses into Oregon from out of state. OHA officials also are pursuing health care volunteers through Serv-OR, the state’s emergency volunteer registry. In addition, OHA is providing hospitals with recent legislatively appropriated funds to aid staffing.

Parents of children younger than 5, especially newborns to 6-month-olds, are especially advised to take precautions that keep their children safe and help to limit the spread of RSV and influenza in coming weeks. Young children, as well as older adults – people 65 and older – are at higher risk of severe illness from these respiratory viruses, including hospitalization and death.

Data showing that the RSV hospitalization rate for children quadrupled between Oct. 29 and Nov. 19, from 2.7 to 10.8 children per 100,000 population. RSV hospitalizations are expected to rise further over the next few weeks.

Hospitalizations are also being fueled by a rapid increase in influenza cases around the state. According to OHA’s weekly Flu Bites influenza surveillance report, the percentage of positive influenza tests has doubled each week since mid-October – it was 1% the week ending Oct. 22, 2% on Oct. 29, 4.5% on Nov. 5, 9.3% on Nov. 12 and 16.4% on Nov. 19.

A 5% positivity rate for influenza tests is considered a threshold for significant influenza circulation.

RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms, such as runny nose, coughing and sneezing. Most infections go away on their own in a week or two. Almost all children will have had an RSV infection by their second birthday.

People experiencing mild RSV symptoms should:

• Stay home from work or school, and avoid indoor and outdoor holiday gatherings and events.
• Manage fever and pain with over-the-counter fever reducers and pain relievers.
• Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
• Make sure to talk to your health care provider before giving your child over-the-counter cold medicines which are typically not indicated for this age group.

While cold-like symptoms are more typical of RSV infections, some children can experience severe symptoms requiring immediate care. Parents should call their pediatrician or seek care right away if child has any of the following symptoms:

• Difficulty breathing or increased work of breathing.
• Symptoms of dehydration, or fewer than one wet diaper every eight hours.
• Gray or blue color to tongue, lips or skin.
• Decreased activity and alertness.

Some children with RSV may be at increased risk of developing a bacterial infection, such as an ear infection. Call your pediatrician if your child has:

• Symptoms that worsen or do not start to improve after seven days.
• A fever of 100.4°F or higher if they are younger than 3 months old (12 weeks).
• A fever that rises above 104°F repeatedly for a child of any age.
• Poor sleep or fussiness, chest pain, ear tugging or ear drainage.

For more information about RSV, visit OHA’s RSV page. Information about influenza is available at OHA’s Flu Prevention page.

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November 22, 2022

Media Contact: Liz Gharst, 971-666-2476,

elizabeth.a.gharst@dhsoha.state.or.us

Oregon Resource Allocation Advisory Committee meets Nov. 29, via Zoom

Purpose: Oregon Resource Allocation Advisory Committee (ORAAC) meeting. Meeting materials are posted to the ORAAC website. https://www.oregon.gov/oha/Pages/Resource-Allocation-Advisory-Committee.aspx

When: November 29, 1pm to 3pm

Agenda: Welcome, Public Comment, Triage in Crisis Care Guidelines October Discussion, Community Impact, Triage Discussion, Triage Teams, Subcommittees

Members of the public are welcome to participate in public comment from 1:10 PM – 1:20 PM. Time for public comment is limited. For instructions on how to provide public comment, please visit: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/Documents/ORAAC-Public-Comment-Process.pdf. To sign up to provide comment, please complete the survey: https://forms.office.com/g/pa7vuTXZHf

Virtual Meeting: The ORAAC meetings are held by Zoom.

Join meeting by computer or video link:

https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1608827349?pwd=UmE4T20zZXRzWURGeTJWUHdIYzJsZz09

Join meeting by phone: Phone # 669-254-5252

Meeting ID: 160 882 7349

Passcode: 689337

Questions: Lisa Bui, oha.resourceallocation@odhsoha.oregon.gov or contact by phone at 503-576-9321.

Everyone is welcome to the meetings. For questions about accessibility or to request an accommodation, please call 971-304-6236 or write oha.resourceallocation@odhsoha.oregon.gov. 

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:

• CART (live captions)
• Sign language and spoken language interpreters
• Written material in other languages
• Braille
• Large print
• Audio and other formats

Requests should be made at least 48 hours prior to the event. Documents can be provided upon request in an alternate format for individuals with disabilities or in a language other than English for people with limited English skills. To request a document in another format or language, please call 971-304-6236 or oha.resourceallocation@odhsoha.oregon.gov

November 21, 2022

Contact: Jonathan Modie, 971-246-9139, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Nurse Staffing Advisory Board’s Rules Review Committee meets virtually Nov. 29

What: The Nurse Staffing Advisory Board’s Rules Review Committee is holding its second meeting.  

Agenda: Introductions and review the committee agenda; highlight discussion from previous meeting; review nurse staffing rule and statute language; continue discussion on nurse staffing posting and record requirements; begin discussion on nurse staffing committee requirements; summarize action items and next steps.

The agenda and committee documents are available at www.healthoregon.org/nursestaffing.

When: Nov. 29, 9:30-11 a.m.

Where: Register to receive meeting login information at https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIsf-qrqDMtEm5zVYhxO9dAaJ1yt55j4-c.

Background: The Nurse Staffing Advisory Board advises Oregon Health Authority on the administration of Oregon’s nurse staffing laws; identifies trends, opportunities and concerns related to nurse staffing; makes recommendations to OHA based on those trends, opportunities and concerns; and reviews the enforcement powers and processes under Oregon’s nurse staffing laws.

Program contact: Kimberly Voelker; Mailbox.nursestaffing@odhsoha.oregon.gov

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Everyone has a right to know about and use the 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 material in other languages
• Braille
• Large print
• Audio and other formats

If you need help or have questions, please contact Kimberly Voelker, MPH at 971-803-0914, 711 TTY or kimberly.n.voelker@dhsoha.state.or.us at least 48 hours before the meeting.

November 21, 2022

Contact: Liz Gharst, 971.666.2476, elizabeth.a.gharst@dhsoha.state.or.us (media inquiries)

Kiari Chao, 503.931.3053, kiari.chao@dhsoha.state.or.us (meeting information or accommodation)

Michelle Hatfield, 503.551.3881, michelle.m.hatfield@dhsoha.state.or.us (meeting information or accommodation)

CCO Health IT Advisory Group (HITAG) to meet November 28

What: The regular public meeting of Health Information Technology Advisory Group.

When: November 28, 1pm to 3pm

Where: By webinar and conference line only. The public may join remotely through a webinar and conference line:

• Join the webinar at https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1619542823?pwd=am5jenlzMmo5RUlzL2N4Z2pnblphdz09
• Conference line: 669-254-5252, Meeting ID: 161 954 2823, Password: 135 862

Agenda: Welcome, Introductions & Agenda Review (1:00-1:05); Announcements & roadmap Meeting Follow-up (1:05-1:15); 2022 HIT Roadmap Summary: Supporting Electronic Health Record (HER) Adoption (1:15-1:55); HER Data Collection Strategies (1:55-2:05); 2023 HIT Roadmap Template (2:05-2:35); HIT Data Reporting (2:35-2:45); Other HIT Updates (2:45-2:50); Public Comment (2:50-2:55); Meeting Wrap-up (2:55-3:00)

For more information, please visit the committee's website at https://www.oregon.gov/oha/HPA/OHIT/Pages/HITAG.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:

• CART (live captions)
• 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 OHIT.Info@dhsoha.state.or.us or call 503.373.7859 at least 48 hours before the meeting. OHA will make every effort to provide services for requests made closer to the meeting.

November 18, 2022

Media Contact: Liz Gharst, elizabeth.a.gharst@state.or.us, 971-666-2476

OHA report: price increases drove commercial health care costs between 2013-2019; more services provided drove health care costs for Medicaid and Medicare Advantage.

PORTLAND, Ore. – According to a new Oregon Health Authority (OHA) report, the growth of health care costs in the commercial market in Oregon between 2013 and 2019 was largely due to price increases. In contrast, the growth of health care costs in Oregon’s Medicaid and Medicare Advantage markets was driven by increased utilization, or the number of services provided to patients. Commercial health care includes health benefits that Oregonians receive from their employer.

The full report is available here.

In addition to comparing commercial, Medicaid and Medicare Advantage data, the new report looks at five different service categories: inpatient care, outpatient care, professional services, emergency department services and prescription drugs.

Interim Health Policy and Analytics Director Ali Hassoun said, “Understanding what’s driving costs in our complex health care system is important because rising health costs affect all Oregon residents. As costs of housing, food and other basic necessities rise, it is important to understand what can be done to contain health costs for individuals and families.”

One way to analyze total health care costs is to look at the average price for a health care service and the number of times people received that service. Using data from Oregon’s All Payer All Claims database, OHA found stark differences between commercial, employer-sponsored insurance and publicly funded programs like Medicaid and Medicare Advantage.

For example, commercial prices for emergency department services, outpatient services, professional services and prescriptions grew while utilization was either flat or decreased from 2013 to 2019. The prices paid for Medicaid services, however, increased modestly while the number of services provided increased significantly.

Read the full report here.

The Health Care Cost Trends: Price and Utilization Report will be presented at the Sustainable Health Care Cost Growth Target Advisory Committee meeting on November 22 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Full details including how to join the meeting are here.

November 18, 2022

Media Contact: Jonathan Modie, 971-246-9139, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Make your holidays merry by preventing respiratory viruses like RSV

As Oregon emergency departments overflow, health officials offer tips for keeping loved ones healthy

PORTLAND, Ore. – An increase in severe respiratory infections this season is putting pressure on Oregon’s already-strained hospitals as the holidays approach. But health officials say people can take simple steps to avoid exposure – and the need for an emergency department visit – as they gather for celebrations.

“We want people to remember the holidays as a festive time of family, friends, food and fun events, not because of a severe case of RSV or other respiratory virus,” said Dana Hargunani, M.D., M.P.H., a pediatrician and Oregon Health Authority’s chief medical officer. “Common-sense vigilance this season can help keep you and your loved ones safe and out of the hospital.”

Beau Gilmore, M.D., pediatrician and chief informaticist at Mosaic Medical in central Oregon, shares his thoughts on staying safe during the holidays in a video on OHA’s YouTube channel. Gilmore also offers advice for parents and caregivers on how to know when to go to the hospital.

According to OHA data as of Wednesday, the RSV hospitalization rate for children nearly quadrupled between Oct. 29 and Nov. 5, from 2.2 to 8.7 per 100,000 population. The rate dropped slightly by Nov. 12, to 5.7 per 100,000, but that was still double what it was two weeks earlier.

RSV hospitalization rates for adults have been lower, although there remains a risk of serious illness for older adults.

“Emergency departments in Oregon are overflowing,” Hargunani said. “We need to make sure families have access to the emergency care they need when facing serious, life-threatening medical emergencies”

OHA offers the following tips for staying healthy and avoiding an unnecessary hospital visit during the holidays:

1. Get a flu shot and stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations, including new bivalent boosters.
2. There is no vaccine or treatment for RSV, but people can protect themselves by covering coughs and sneezes, cleaning high-touch surfaces, and regularly washing their hands with soap and water or using hand sanitizer.
3. Consider wearing a mask during indoor holiday gatherings and events. Anyone at risk for getting severely ill from RSV – young children and older adults– should consider wearing a mask when indoors with people who are not in their household.
4. Because children younger than 2 are too young to safely wear a mask, parents and caregivers should consider asking those around them to wear a mask.

Hargunani emphasizes that RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms, such as runny nose, coughing and sneezing. Most infections go away on their own in a week or two. Almost all children will have had an RSV infection by their second birthday, she said.

People experiencing mild symptoms of RSV should:

• Stay home from work or school, and avoid holiday gatherings and events.
• Manage fever and pain with over-the-counter fever reducers and pain relievers.
• Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
• Make sure to talk to your health care provider before giving your child over-the-counter cold medicines which are typically not indicated for this age group.

However, parents and guardians should immediately seek health care if their child is experiencing more severe symptoms of RSV, such as trouble breathing, dehydration, gray or blue color to the tongue, lips or skin, or significantly decreased activity and alertness.

“Over the holidays, it is especially important that we maintain the vigilance that served us so well during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Hargunani said. “Get vaccinated, avoid large gatherings and wear a mask in crowded indoor places. Doing so will help us all have a happy and positively memorable holiday season.”

Monthly COVID-19 reports released

OHA’s COVID-19 Monthly Data Report, released Nov. 10, shows a decrease in COVID-19-related hospitalizations and deaths.

OHA reported 13,433 new cases of COVID-19 in October, a 27% decline from the 18,412 cases recorded in September.

During October, test positivity was 7.3%, down from 8.8% in September.

This month’s COVID-19 Congregate Care Setting Outbreak Report shows there were 100 active outbreaks in care facilities, senior living communities and congregate care living settings, a decrease from the prior month.

OHA publishes annual hospitalization review

OHA last week released its Oregon HOSCAP COVID-19 Review: April 2021–April 2022. The report covers the second year of data collected by hospital staff about hospitalized patients who tested positive for COVID-19, as well as hospital bed capacity. The Oregon Hospital Capacity Web System (HOSCAP), which predates COVID-19, has been used throughout the pandemic by hospitals, health systems and state health authorities for health planning and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The report, published Nov. 8, has several findings:

• Oregon experienced three waves of COVID-19-positive hospitalizations between April 2021 and April 2022, with higher patient counts during the latter two surges than during any prior surge.
• The number of COVID-19-positive hospitalized patients peaked on Sept. 1, 2021, at 1,178 patients (more than double any previously recorded census).
• On average, Oregon hospitals cared for 497 COVID-19-positive patients each day throughout the year, including an average of 115 COVID-19-positive ICU patients. The daily average for the previous reporting year was 200 COVID-19-positive patients (52 in ICU).
• Hospital bed capacity constraints were widespread, and particularly persistent for adult non-ICU beds. Overall adult bed occupancy reached the highest reported level on Jan. 5, 2022, when 95% of adult ICU and non-ICU hospital beds were occupied.

Hospital capacity data are published each Wednesday on OHA’s COVID-19 Data Dashboards.

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November 18, 2022

Media contact: Timothy Heider, 971-599-0459,

timothy.heider@oha.oregon.gov

OHA offers $4 million in grants for peer delivered services.

Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has issued a Request for Grant Applications (RFGA) offering approximately $4 million in grants to incentivize peer-delivered services in Oregon.

The grants will focus on expansion of peer-delivered services through professional development, continuing education opportunities, and workforce training. The funding is being made available under House Bill 4071(formerly House Bill 2949), which invested $60 million to improve access to behavioral health services for people of color, tribal members, and residents of rural areas.

When selecting grantees, OHA’s Office of Recovery and Resilience will prioritize peer-run organizations and programs that serve individuals and groups experiencing inequities in access to health care resources. To be considered peer-run, an organization must be largely run by people with lived experience in addictions or mental health recovery and operate independently from other behavioral health providers.

All funds awarded through the program must be spent by June 30, 2023.

Eligible funding projects must fall under the following categories:

• Development of culturally specific and linguistically appropriate certification curriculums.
• Remote and in-person workforce training.
• Professional development opportunities, employee wellness programs, and incentives to recruit and retain workers.

Interested applicants can learn more about these grant opportunities, eligibility requirements or apply for the funding here.

OHA staff will host community information sessions about the program. Details and access information can be found here.

The deadline for applications is Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2022, at 11 p.m. OHA will make award notifications no later than Dec. 31, 2022.

For questions about the grant program contact Beau Rappaport at beau.rappaport@dhsoha.state.or.us.

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November 17, 2022

Contact: OHA External Relations, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Nov. 18 psilocybin subcommittee meeting cancelled

PORTLAND, Ore. – A public meeting of the Oregon Psilocybin Advisory Board’s Equity Subcommittee scheduled for Friday, Nov. 18, has been cancelled. The subcommittee’s next meeting is Friday, Dec. 16, from 3:30-5 p.m.

Members of the public can participate in the Dec. 16 meeting via Zoom at https://www.zoomgov.com/j/16054780370.

Call in: 1-669-254-5252 (US)

Meeting ID: 160 5478 0370

Established by Ballot Measure 109 (2020), the Oregon Psilocybin Advisory Board makes recommendations to OHA on available scientific studies and research on the safety and efficacy of psilocybin in treating mental health conditions, and makes recommendations on the requirements, specifications and guidelines for providing psilocybin services in Oregon.

The Board will also develop a long-term strategic plan for ensuring that psilocybin services will become and remain a safe, accessible and affordable therapeutic option for all persons 21 years of age and older in this state for whom psilocybin may be appropriate; and monitor and study federal laws, regulations and policies regarding psilocybin.

# # #

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 the Oregon Psilocybin Services team at 971-341-1713, 711 TTY, or OHA.Psilocybin@dhsoha.state.or.us, at least 48 hours before the meeting.

November 16, 2022

Contact:

Liz Gharst, 971-666-2476, elizabeth.a.gharst@dhsoha.state.or.us  (media inquiries)

Sarah Bartelmann, 971-283-8107, sarah.e.bartelmann@dhsoha.state.or.us (meeting information or accommodation)

Sustainable Health Care Cost Growth Target Advisory Committee meets November 22, 2022

What: A public meeting of the Sustainable Health Care Cost Growth Target Advisory Committee

When:  Tuesday, November 22, 2022 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Where: This is a virtual meeting. The public can join remotely via Zoom or conference line.

To join by Zoom: https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1606285319?pwd=aE9pUDIxUnJlSFJISmRtaTA3MWNPdz09

To join by phone: +16692545252,,1606285319#

Agenda:

• Welcome
• 2021 Oregon Health Insurance Survey Data: Cost Impacts to People in Oregon
• 2013-2019 Health Care Cost Trends: Price and Utilization Report
• Cost Growth Target accountability: “reasonable” cost growth, inflation, and labor trends
• 2023 Committee meeting schedule and workplan
• Public comment

Public comment will be heard at 11:45 AM. Please submit any public comment in writing prior to the meeting at  HealthCare.CostTarget@odhsoha.oregon.gov

For more information, please visit the committee’s website at https://www.oregon.gov/oha/HPA/HP/Pages/Sustainable-Health-Care-Cost-Growth-Target.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 JerRonde Weatherspoon at 503-385-5948, 711 TTY, jerronde.a.weatherspoon@dhsoha.state.or.us, at least 48 hours before the meeting.

November 16, 2022

Contact: Liz Gharst, 971-666-2476, elizabeth.a.gharst@dhsoha.state.or.us (media inquiries)

Brian Toups, 503-385-6542, brian.m.toups@oha.oregon.gov (meeting information or accommodation)

CCO Metrics and Scoring Committee to meet November 18

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

When: November 18, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Where: By webinar and conference line only. The public may join remotely through a webinar and conference line:

• Join the webinar at https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1602270134?pwd=cGhCSHE2MGxUUWhRY3ZKcHJhdkMydz09
• Conference line: 669-254-5252, Meeting ID: 160 227 0134, Password: 779295.

Agenda: Welcome, consent agenda, minutes approval, and general updates (9:00-9:10); Public testimony (9:10-9:20); Finalize 2023 benchmarks (9:20-10:20); OHA Transformation Center & Community Health Improvement Plans – orientation (10:35-11:35); Work plan – selecting 2024 incentive measures (11:35-12:00);  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:

• CART (live captions)
• 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 Brian Toups at 503-385-6542, or

brian.m.toups@oha.oregon.gov at least 48 hours before the meeting. OHA will make every effort to provide services for requests made closer to the meeting.

November 16, 2022

Contact: Liz Gharst, 971-666-2476, elizabeth.a.gharst@dhsoha.state.or.us (media inquiries)

Brian Toups, 503-385-6542, brian.m.toups@oha.oregon.gov (meeting information or accommodation)

CCO Metrics Technical Advisory Group (TAG) to meet November 17

What: The regular public meeting of the Oregon Health Authority’s CCO Metrics Technical Advisory Group.

When: November 17, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: By webinar and conference line only. The public may join remotely through a webinar and conference line:

• Join the webinar at

https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1619382642?pwd=OVBzSmF6TDNpclZUWXMveUNBcVA3UT09

• Conference line: 669-254-5252, meeting ID: 161 938 2642, passcode: 159017.

Agenda: Welcome and introductions (1:00-1:05); Updates (1:05-1:20); CAHPS Results (1:20-1:40); Health Equity Measure: Meaningful Language Access (1:40-2:10); adjourn.

For more information, please visit the committee's website at http://www.oregon.gov/OHA/HPA/ANALYTICS/Pages/Metrics-Technical-Advisory-Group.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:

• CART (live captions)
• 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 Brian Toups at 503-385-6542, or

brian.m.toups@oha.oregon.gov at least 48 hours before the meeting. OHA will make every effort to provide services for requests made closer to the meeting.

November 16, 2022

Contact: OHA External Relations, phd.communications@dhsoha.state.or.us

Oregon Psilocybin Advisory Board, Equity Subcommittee meets Nov. 18

What: A public meeting of the Oregon Psilocybin Advisory Board, Equity Subcommittee.

Agenda: TBD

When: Friday, Nov. 18, 3:30-5 p.m.

Where: Via Zoom Meeting:

https://www.zoomgov.com/j/16054780370

Call in: 1-669-254-5252 (US)

Meeting ID: 160 5478 0370

Background: Established by Ballot Measure 109 (2020), the Oregon Psilocybin Advisory Board makes recommendations to OHA on available scientific studies and research on the safety and efficacy of psilocybin in treating mental health conditions, and makes recommendations on the requirements, specifications and guidelines for providing psilocybin services in Oregon.

The Board will also develop a long-term strategic plan for ensuring that psilocybin services will become and remain a safe, accessible and affordable therapeutic option for all persons 21 years of age and older in this state for whom psilocybin may be appropriate; and monitor and study federal laws, regulations and policies regarding psilocybin.

# # #

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 the Oregon Psilocybin Services team at 971-341-1713, 711 TTY, or OHA.Psilocybin@dhsoha.state.or.us, at least 48 hours before the meeting.

November 15, 2022 

Media contact: Timothy Heider, 971-599-0459,  

timothy.heider@oha.oregon.gov 

OHA receives federal approval for Medicaid behavioral health provider rate increases

Oregon Health Authority has received federal approval to increase Medicaid behavioral health fee-for-service (FFS) provider rates by a net average of 30 percent.  

The increase will enable OHA to continue investments to improve access to care, incentivize culturally and linguistically specific services, invest in workforce diversity and support staff recruitment.

Eligible Behavioral Health providers in rural and non-rural areas that provide culturally, and linguistically specific services will receive increases of 22 percent and 27 percent respectively for several outpatient services.

The legislature allocated $42.5 million through HB 5202 in 2022 for behavioral health rate increases, which is expected to bring approximately $112 million in matching federal Medicaid funds for increases across both FFS and increases paid through Coordinated Care Organizations (CCO).

This past week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approved the FFS portion of the increase, which amounts to $24 million, with an estimated matching federal Medicaid funds of $56 million.

The combined $154.5 million in rate increases will boost funding for treatment programs and will expand access for people seeking mental health and substance use treatment.

OHA is still awaiting approval for the CCO rate increases from CMS.

Under the proposed fee-for-service rate increases for providers:  

• Programs providing children with intensive psychiatric treatment received rate increases of approximately 37 percent.
• Substance use disorder residential treatment services received rate increases of approximately 32 percent.
• Adult residential mental health treatment programs received rate increases of 30 percent.
• Adult outpatient mental health treatment programs received rate increases of approximately 29 percent.

“This federal approval represents a win-win that provides a revenue boost to providers that can be used toward expanding the scope of services to Medicaid clients, while providing us with the revenue to continue making strategic investments to stabilize our behavioral health system,” said OHA Chief Financial Officer Dave Baden. 

The increases to the Oregon Health Plan fee-for-service fee schedule will be effective retroactively to July 1, 2022. If approved by CMS, the 2023 CCO contract will include agreements to support CCO rate increases for their behavioral health provider networks, effective January 1, 2023. 

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November 15, 2022

Contact: Liz Gharst, 971.666.2476, elizabeth.a.gharst@dhsoha.state.or.us (media inquiries)

Kiari Chao, 503.931.3053, kiari.chao@dhsoha.state.or.us (meeting information or accommodation)

Health Information Exchange (HIE) Workgroup to meet November 18

What: The regular public meeting of the Health Information Exchange (HIE) Workgroup

When: November 18, 9:00am to 12:00pm

Where: By webinar and conference line only. The public may join remotely through a webinar and conference line:

• Join the webinar at https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1600997798?pwd=c0lQNU0vQmNqTXdYbVh0TmQ1TGJsUT09
• Conference line: 669-254-5252, Meeting ID: 160 099 7798, Password: 304375

Agenda: Welcome (9:00-9:10); Vision for HIE (9:10-9:45); Workgroup Deliverables and Focus Area Review (9:45-10:30); BREAK (10:30-10:40); Federal Infrastructure: National Networks (10:40-11:10); Focus Area: Filling Gaps in Information Sharing (11:10-11:50); Public Comment (1:50-11:55); Next Steps and Adjourn (11:55-12:00)

For more information, please visit the committee's website at https://www.oregon.gov/oha/HPA/OHIT-HITOC/Pages/HIEworkgroup.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:

• CART (live captions)
• 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 OHIT.Info@dhsoha.state.or.us or call 503.373.7859 at least 48 hours before the meeting. OHA will make every effort to provide services for requests made closer to the meeting.

November 15, 2022

Media Contact: Jonathan Modie, 971-246-9139, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

OHA offers telehealth visits to improve access to COVID-19 therapy

Agency partners with Color Health to provide free clinician appointments so people can find out if they’re eligible for oral antivirals

PORTLAND, Ore. – Oregon Health Authority (OHA) now offers free telehealth visits statewide for those at increased risk for severe COVID-19 illness. This provides easier access to potentially life-saving treatment.

OHA partnered with Color Health to launch the new program Monday. Through this program, any person in Oregon, regardless of health insurance status, can make a no-cost telehealth appointment with a clinician. During the appointment, they can find out if they are eligible for COVID-19 oral antiviral medicine.

People at increased risk of severe COVID-19 illness whose symptoms started in the prior five days are eligible for treatment. If a clinician confirms the patient is eligible for treatment, the clinician can prescribe the medication.

“These medicines can help prevent severe COVID-19 illness, hospitalization and even death,” said Andrea Lara, M.D., M.P.H., therapeutics clinical and equity lead with Oregon Health Authority. “They should be available for free for anyone who needs them, whether or not the person has health insurance.”

She added that the service will especially benefit communities hit hardest by COVID-19. This includes Tribal nations and communities of color.

OHA recommends people with COVID-19 symptoms or a positive COVID test first call or visit a health care provider. If they don’t have a provider or are unable to quickly get an appointment, they can find a federal Test to Treat site.

If there is no Test to Treat site nearby or they can’t get to one, they can make a telehealth appointment through Color. The process is as follows:

1. Visit Color.com/COVID-19-treatment-OR and take the survey, or call 833-273-6330 and describe your symptoms.
2. Join the video or phone call.
3. Those given a prescription can pick it up at their local pharmacy or get home delivery.

Telehealth visit hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week. Consultation is offered in 17 languages. You can visit OHA’s COVID-19 treatments page, or call Color at 833-273-6330 for more information.

For people who can’t use the service or who need additional assistance or accessibility accommodations, there is another option. They can find participating federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) on the Test to Treat site. They should look for sites that say “HRSA supported health center” or read OHA’s monthly COVID-19 Therapeutics Newsletter, found on OHA’s COVID-19 Treatments page, for a list.

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Media contact: Amber Shoebridge, 503-931-9586 amber.shoebridge@dhsoha.state.or.us 

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

Oregon State Hospital Advisory Board meets November 17, 2022

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

When: November 17, 2022, 1-4:15 p.m.

Where: The meeting will be held via free conference line at 971-277-2343, access code 280 492 858#.

Agenda: After introductions, updates will be given on Oregon Health Authority, the federal court order related to aid and assist restoration timelines and diversity work. See the full agenda here.

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 OSH patients. Members include consumers, providers, advocates, legislators, community members, consumer families and OSH union members.

For more information, see the OSHAB website.

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@dhsoha.state.or.us at least 48 hours before the meeting.

November 10, 2022

Contact: Jonathan Modie, 971-246-9139, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Advance Directive Advisory Committee meets Nov. 15

What: The Advance Directive Advisory Committee will hold a meeting.

Agenda: Discuss ongoing outreach and education efforts and potential legislative changes needed

When: Tuesday, Nov. 15, 9:30-11 a.m. The meeting is open to the public. A public comment period will be held at the end of the meeting.

Where: Conference call: +1613697541; Conference ID: #161 369 7541

Background: The Advance Directive Advisory Committee provides guidance to the Oregon Health Authority on necessary revisions to Oregon’s Advance Directive form.

# # #

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 Charina Walker at 503-314-8605, 711 TTY or charina.walker@dhsoha.state.or.us at least 48 hours before the meeting.

November 10, 2022

Media contact: Jonathan Modie, 971-246-9139, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Respiratory viruses to continue circulating this season at higher levels

RSV, influenza, COVID-19 already putting strain on hospitals, OHA official says

PORTLAND, Ore. — Respiratory viruses are expected to circulate this season at higher levels than Oregon has experienced over the last two years as people gather indoors for the holidays, an Oregon Health Authority (OHA) public health physician said today.

But it’s unknown whether two of those viruses – RSV and influenza – will be more severe than pre-pandemic seasons, said Tom Jeanne, M.D., M.P.H., deputy health officer and deputy epidemiologist at OHA.

“Nationally, we are seeing some alarming trends of early – and, in some cases, very high – circulation of both viruses,” Jeanne said during OHA’s monthly COVID-19 update. “Given this concerning picture, we need to work together to protect hospital capacity so that all of us have access to critical care when we need it.

A recording of the Jeanne’s comments during today’s update is available on OHA’s YouTube page.

Jeanne explained that the COVID-19 pandemic has “placed incredible strain” on our health care system, with RSV further straining systems. Influenza will only add to this burden.

COVID-19 transmission is expected to increase as people gather indoors and immunity from vaccination and previous infections wanes. The seven-day moving average of new confirmed and presumptive cases has hovered between 350 and 400 cases, Jeanne noted. He said an Oregon Health & Science University forecast predicts that COVID-19 hospitalizations – now at 229 as of Wednesday, Nov. 9 – will increase slightly and peak at about 280 by early December.

Oregon also is seeing slow increases in the proportion of new Omicron subvariants with mutations of concerns, such as BQ.1 and BQ.1.1. These new subvariants account for less than 10% of variants circulating in Oregon; BA.5 still accounts for about 80%.

“We don’t expect that this winter’s COVID-19 wave will be as severe as last year's Omicron wave,” Jeanne said. “We anticipate far fewer peak hospitalizations than we saw during the Omicron and Delta surges, thanks to high levels of population immunity. But there are other respiratory viruses we’re concerned about.”

One of them, RSV – the most common cause of severe lower respiratory infection among infants and young children – will see increasing activity over the coming weeks, as has been the case in other parts of the country. The virus has caused pediatric hospitalizations to more than triple between Oct. 29 and Nov. 5.

Health officials also are closely monitoring influenza activity throughout Oregon. Although influenza activity remains relatively low in Oregon, it is increasing slowly. Statewide test positivity was 2% last week; 5% positivity is considered a threshold for significant influenza circulation.

“We expect to surpass [5% positivity] within two weeks,” Jeanne said. “Influenza will add to pressure that will be placed on hospitals and health systems already dealing with the increases in other respiratory viruses, including RSV.”

But Oregon has reliable tools for combatting COVID-19, RSV and flu.

“First, everyone should get a flu shot and make sure they are up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations,” Jeanne said. “That means a bivalent COVID-19 booster for those who haven't received one yet, or if you are still unvaccinated, the two-shot primary COVID-19 vaccine doses – followed later by the booster.” Plus, getting the booster and flu shot as soon as possible means they will have protection for Thanksgiving and winter gatherings.

And even though an RSV vaccine is not yet available, people can protect themselves through respiratory hygiene, such as covering coughs and sneezes, cleaning high-touch surfaces, practicing good hand hygiene and masking indoors.

“Masking, particularly in indoor settings, is a powerful tool for reducing the spread of all respiratory viruses,” Jeanne said. “When respiratory virus activity is high, everyone should consider masking indoors when they are with people from outside their household. And those at increased risk of severe illness should consider masking indoors even when virus activity is lower.”

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November 10, 2022

Contact: Liz Gharst, 971.666.2476, elizabeth.a.gharst@dhsoha.state.or.us (media inquiries)

Kiari Chao, 503.931.3053, kiari.chao@dhsoha.state.or.us (meeting information or accommodation)

Community Information Exchange (CIE) Workgroup to meet November 15

What: The regular public meeting of the Community Information Exchange (CIE) Workgroup.

When: November 15, 12:30pm to 3:00pm

Where: By webinar and conference line only. The public may join remotely through a webinar and conference line:

• Join the webinar at https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1619428831?pwd=ZWxldkN6di91dHVWNjRCNTJCT203dz09
• Conference line: 669-254-5252, Meeting ID: 161 942 8831, Password: 344894

Agenda: Welcome (12:30-12:40); Review Concept Paper: Recommendations for Governance of Statewide CIE (12:40-1:00); What are the next steps for CIE? (1:00-1:15); Data Equity Framework Examples (1:15-1:40); 10-Minute Break (1:40-1:50); Public Comment Period (2:30-2:35); Workgroup Wrap-up (2:35-2:55); Closing Remarks and Meeting Adjourn (2:55-3:00)

For more information, please visit the committee's website at https://www.oregon.gov/oha/HPA/OHIT-HITOC/Pages/CIEworkgroup.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:

• CART (live captions)
• 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 OHIT.Info@dhsoha.state.or.us or call 503.373.7859 at least 48 hours before the meeting. OHA will make every effort to provide services for requests made closer to the meeting.

November 10, 2022

Media Contact: Erica Heartquist, 503-871-8843, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Health officials calling people eligible for 2nd monkeypox vaccine dose

PORTLAND, Ore. – Starting next week, Oregon public health officials will be calling people who received the first dose of the monkeypox virus (hMPXV) vaccine to encourage and assist them to get their second dose.

Tim Menza, M.D., Ph.D., senior health adviser for Oregon Health Authority’s (OHA) monkeypox response, says the calls are from state public health staff and are legitimate. People who receive the calls are encouraged share any questions or concerns with public health staff, then get the second dose as soon as they can.

“Completing the monkeypox vaccine series is so important to maximizing your protection against this virus,” Menza said.

Those who have received a first dose are eligible to get a second dose if it has been at least 28 days since the first dose.

As of Monday, Nov. 7, 16,267 doses of the Jynneos vaccine have been given to people in Oregon, according to OHA figures. That includes 10,993 people who have received at least one dose, of which 5,199 have received both recommended doses. That means 5,794 are eligible to receive the second dose but haven't gotten it yet.

Monkeypox spreads primarily through close skin-to-skin contact. Most commonly during the current outbreak, this has been through intimate or sexual contact. Infection has also occurred during close, skin-to-skin contact with the lesions of an individual with monkeypox through a caregiving relationship, such as a parent caring for a child or an adult caretaker of another person.

Much less often, monkeypox could spread through contact with towels, clothing or other objects that have been in contact with monkeypox lesions. Large respiratory droplets or oral fluids that might come from prolonged face-to-face contact could also transmit the virus, but it is uncommon.

Most people can receive their second dose intradermally, or just under the skin. Those who have gotten their first dose this way may experience discoloration, itchiness, tenderness and swelling at the site of the vaccination. The shot may even leave a small hard bump. These side effects, especially the discoloration and the bump, may last for weeks.

People concerned about these side effects can get the vaccine at a less visible site, such over the upper back or over the shoulder, or in the tissue between the skin and the muscle – also known as subcutaneous. This method is usually given in the back of the arm.

Subcutaneous vaccines are always available for people younger than 18. They are also available to those with a history of scarring or who may be more likely to form severe scars called keloids.

Menza notes that the vaccine may be given before, after or at the same time as most vaccines, including the flu and COVID-19 vaccines. The vaccine is also safe for people with compromised immune systems, pregnant and breastfeeding people, and people with chronic skin conditions.

People who suspect they have monkeypox should contact their health care provider to let them know before going in to be seen. The provider may recommend testing for monkeypox. Those who don’t have a health care provider can call 2-1-1 or their local public health authority to get help finding a clinic or health care provider.

For more information about monkeypox and Oregon’s response to the outbreak, visit OHA’s monkeypox (hMPXV) website. Vaccine clinics can also be searched by ZIP code with a “Monkeypox Vaccine Locator” tool available at https://mpoxvaxmap.org/.

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November 9, 2022

Contacts: Liz Gharst, 971-666-2476, Elizabeth.a.gharst@dhsoha.state.or.us (media inquiries)

Tara Chetock, 971-304-9917, tara.a.chetock@dhsoha.state.or.us (meeting information or accommodation)

Oregon Health Policy Board meets for an educational Webinar November 15, via Zoom

What: A public meeting of the Oregon Health Policy Board.

When: October 15 – 8:05 am – 8:55 am

Where: Virtual meeting only. The public can join remotely via Zoom or a conference line. To join via Zoom:

https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1601309811?pwd=RnJ4RnRjNzZqQXRwN3AwMW1kenU5dz09

One tap mobile: +16692545252,,1601309811# US (San Jose)

Proposed topics for the meeting agenda are listed below. The final meeting agenda and supporting materials will be posted on the OHPB website prior to the meeting. 

Purpose: This educational webinar will introduce the Health Care Market Oversight (HCMO) Program launched March 1, 2022. Under HCMO, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) reviews transactions involving health care entities to make sure they support statewide goals for health equity, cost, access and quality. The educational webinar will describe implementation of the program to date, including rules on what transactions are reviewable, filing requirements for entities, the review process and the types of analyses performed.

Oregon Health Policy Board (OHPB) educational webinars are for informational purposes only. Member attendance is optional, and no official business will be conducted. All OHPB Committee members, OHA staff, partners and members of the public are welcome to attend.

For more information and meeting materials, please visit the OHPB meeting webpage at https://www.oregon.gov/oha/OHPB/Pages/OHPB-Meetings.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
• CART (Communication Access Real-time Translation)
• Written materials in other languages
• Braille
• Large print
• Audio and other formats

If you need help or have questions, please contact Tara Chetock at 971-304-9917, 711 TTY, tara.a.chetock@dhsoha.state.or.us, at least 48 hours before the meeting.

November 9, 2022

Contact: Erica Heartquist, 503-871-8843, PHD.Communications@state.or.us

Northwest Regional Newborn Bloodspot Screening Advisory Board meets Nov. 30, 2022.

What: The Northwest Regional Newborn Bloodspot Screening (NWRNBS) Advisory Board is holding a public meeting. The meeting is accessible by a webinar link or conference line.

Agenda: Welcome, Introductions; Program updates; Update on legislative concepts for 2023 Legislative Session; Board discussion; Long term funding subcommittee updates; Spring 2023 screening panel disorder review; Wrap Up

When: Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm. A 15-minute public comment period is scheduled at approximately 3:15 p.m.; comments are limited from one to three minutes depending on the number of people providing comments.

Where: Remote access only. Zoom access:

https://pdx.zoom.us/j/87540983272

Meeting ID: 875 4098 3272

Dial by your location

        +1 971 247 1195 US (Portland)

        +1 720 928 9299 US (Denver)

        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

        +1 602 753 0140 US (Phoenix)

Background: The Northwest Regional Newborn Bloodspot Screening (NWRNBS) Program screens newborns for endocrine, hemoglobin, cystic fibrosis, immunodeficiency and metabolic disorders that may not be clinically evident in the first few days or weeks of life. Detecting these conditions early allows the infant to be referred for diagnosis and appropriate treatment to prevent death or disability. For more information, visit www.healthoregon.org/nbs.

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For people who speak a language other than English or people with disabilities we can provide free help. 

Some examples are:

• Spoken language interpreters
• Sign language interpreters
• CART captioning
• Braille
• Large print
• Transcripts, or
• Virtual platform change.

If you need help with these services or other related services please contact NBS.AdvisoryBoard@odhsoha.oregon.gov at least 48 business hours before the meeting. To best ensure our ability to provide an accommodation please contact us even if you are only considering attending the meeting. The earlier you make a request the more likely we can meet the need.

November 9, 2022

Media contact: Jonathan Modie, 971-246-9139, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Monthly media briefing on COVID-19 Thursday at 11 a.m.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon Health Authority will host a Zoom media briefing at 11 a.m. tomorrow – Thursday, Nov. 10 – to provide its monthly update on COVID-19.

Tom Jeanne, M.D., M.P.H., deputy health officer and deputy state epidemiologist at OHA, will give an update on the state’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak in Oregon. He also will discuss the other respiratory viruses that are circulating in the state right now – RSV and influenza – and provide an update on the monkeypox (hMPXV) outbreak.

Interested reporters can join via Zoom at this link. A livestream for the public also is available via YouTube at this link.

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November 9, 2022

Media contact: Timothy Heider, 971-599-0459,

timothy.heider@oha.oregon.gov

OHA offers workforce bonus and housing stipend program for Oregon behavioral health organizations

Oregon Health Authority is seeking applications from behavioral health care organizations who may qualify under the Oregon Behavioral Health Workforce Bonus and Housing Stipend Incentive program.

The program provides financial incentives to build, recruit, and sustain a behavioral health workforce that was depleted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The funds are available for sign-on or retention bonuses and housing stipends. Organizations may request up to $120,000 for these incentives, and, if selected for these grants, must use this funding to recruit or retain behavioral health workers who:

• Have associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral degrees, or other behavioral health care credentials.
• Behavioral health care workers who provide direct service to under-served communities.

A list of organizations eligible to apply for the program can be found on the Behavioral Health Services web page. Interested behavioral health professionals can get more details on grant terms and potential eligibility here.

Eligible organizations can apply here. Applications close Dec. 7, 2022, at 3 p.m. For questions about the grant program, please contact Tim Nesbitt at tim.r.nesbitt@dhsoha.state.or.us.

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November 8, 2022

Contact: Jonathan Modie, 971-246-9139, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Dental Pilot Project Advisory Committee meets Nov. 14

What: The state Dental Pilot Project Advisory Committee is holding its quarterly advisory committee meeting; the meeting will cover Dental Pilot Project #300, “Dental Therapist: Dental Hygiene Model.”

Agenda: Presentations by project sponsor; chart review process overview; presentation by dental therapy subject matter expert.

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

Where: Remote meeting via Zoom. Link: https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1606525093?pwd=S0ZEekh4WmpWQ0RpeHRNUUhXc3k3Zz09

Call-in option: 1 669 254 5252

Meeting ID: 160 652 5093

Passcode: 505304

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, 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 sarah.e.kowalski@state.or.us at least 48 hours before the meeting.