NAMI Washington announces 2021 legislative session priorities Sydney Kurle | Dec 22, 2020
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“In 2021, NAMI Washington will lead advocacy efforts to improve access to timely and effective behavioral health treatment and supports in the face of racial injustices, an economic downturn, and a global pandemic,” said NAMI Washington.
NAMI’s first policy priority is to protect funding for behavioral health in Washington. To do this they plan to advocate for revenue to fully fund critical behavioral health services and supports, like the Housing and Essential Need program, which helps individuals and families meet their basic needs.
NAMI also plans to support the $250 million requested for the Housing Trust Fund. NAMI will advocate for equitable housing that supports individuals with behavioral health needs and they will advocate for $500,000 in continued funding to go towards NAMI support programs for affiliates and the state office.
Oregon health care leaders present their legislative concepts for the 2021 session Sydney Kurle | Dec 21, 2020
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During a remote committee meeting on Thursday the House Interim Committee on Health Care met to discuss their legislative concepts for the 2021 legislative session. Most notable among these concepts was the legislators’ commitment to addressing equity in health care, the social determinants of health, and health care affordability.
Charlie Fisher, State Director at the Oregon State Public Interest Research Group, began the conversation with a presentation on a potential public option in Oregon. The presentation discussed how a public option may work and which populations would benefit in Oregon. Representative Andrea Salinas mentioned that she is working on a bill that is focused on making a public option possible in Oregon.
HCA reaches 59% of payments as Value-based Purchasing in 2019 Sydney Kurle | Dec 17, 2020
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As the largest health care purchaser in Washington, the HCA says their goal is to continue to move the health care system towards VBP. Although the original goal for 2019 was to have 75 percent of payments be VBP, the HCA says they remain optimistic that they can reach their goals.
“Washington will use its position in the marketplace to drive transformation as both a first mover and market convener,” says the HCA website. “We will use purchasing power to lead by example and accelerate the adoption of value-based reimbursement and alternative payment strategies in the commercial market.”
Governor Inslee announces his 2021-2023 equity policy package Sydney Kurle | Dec 15, 2020
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“I firmly believe Washington to be an anti-racist state, and I will be taking actions that hold our state to that commitment,” Inslee said in the press conference. “We need our policies and budget to reflect our dedication toward disrupting the harmful systemic cycle of racism and inequity.”
In the legislative and budget proposals announced Monday, Inslee supported House Bill 1016, which would establish Juneteenth as a legal holiday in Washington state. He allocated an additional $2.5 million to the Washington Equity Office. This office is tasked with creating a five-year equity plan for the state, as well as consulting with existing departments to create their own equity plans.
OHA report on climate change and health exposes inequities Sydney Kurle | Dec 16, 2020
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The report, Climate and Health in Oregon 2020 report, builds on the findings of the 2014 Oregon Climate and Health Report. The 2014 report warned of increased risk of injury, illness, and death due to rising temperatures, increasing wildfires, and other extreme weather events.
Since the 2014 report was published, Oregon has already experienced significant impacts from climate change. The state has seen its hottest years on record, with 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2020 all in the top 10 hottest years in Oregon history. The state also saw the lowest snowpack on record in 2015. In 2018, Salem drinking water was contaminated with cyanotoxins that resulted from algal blooms caused by high temperatures.