| School Health Bulletin - September 30, 2010 |
Help Save Oregon SBHCs from
$2.3 million in cuts!
A $2.3 million cut to the state SBHC grant- (39 percent) -is proposed by the Oregon Health Authority in its 2011-2013 budget biennium recommendations.
This is the proposed cut, and is not a "done deal". It has to be accepted by the Governor and state legislature next session.
NOW is the time to organize against this cut!!!
What you can do to stop these cuts:
- Call or email your state legislators and the Governor to reject the Agency Recommended Budget cuts to SBHCs!
- Find your state representative and senator's phone numbers here or email here.
- Call the Governor's Citizens' Representative Message Line -- 503.378.4582 or email the Governor here.
Read more about the impact of these cuts HERE.
What you might say to your state representatives:
My name is X and I live in X. I have heard that the agency budget reduction recommendation includes a cut to school based health centers funding. I am calling to ask you to oppose these cuts. In our community, SBHCs are critically important (talk about your community-travel time to receive care/high need, etc). They help our families find affordable and accessible health care right at school. Without our SBHC, many children would not get the health care they need to be healthy. SBHCs are one of the state's smartest investments. Please do not allow these cuts to go through. Thank you. (Leave your contact information).
What you might say to the Governor:
My name is X and I live in X. I have heard that the agency budget reduction recommendation includes a cut to school based health centers funding. Governor Kulongoski, you have been such a huge supporter in advancing access to health care for kids in Oregon. Please do what you can to help preserve your legacy and stop these cuts to school based health centers. If these cuts happen, many SBHCs may close or greatly reduce their hours. Children will not get the health care they need to be healthy and stay in school. SBHCs are one of Oregon's smartest investments. Thank you. (Leave your contact information).
Email liz@osbhcn.org and put in the subject line "I contacted the Governor and state legislators".
 What this cut means:
Impact on children and families:
- 50,000 children may lose or experience reduced access to primary care, mental health and prevention services because of reduced hours or closure of their school's SBHC
- Children will miss more school to visit the doctor or because they have untreated illness
- Families will use more expensive care options (like the emergency room)
- Families will have to travel further in rural and frontier communities to find care for their children
Other impacts:
- Quality assurance and oversight of health centers will be in jeopardy
- There will be fewer providers who will accept Medicaid (Healthy Kids) patients
- Fewer qualified practitioners for an already under-served adolescent population
- Reduced capacity for health centers to get reimbursed by insurance
 SBHCs are a smart investment:
- SBHCs are the ONLY primary care and mental health service providers WHERE KIDS ARE DURING THE SCHOOL DAY
- SBHCs are on the front lines in the fight against epidemics like the H1N1 virus
- SBHCs are a crucial partner in meeting the daily needs of kids with asthma, diabetes, injuries and more
- SBHCs save the state millions of dollars each year by preventing complications and more costly care: Studies show they reduce ER use and hospitalizations by half for asthmatic students alone
- SBHCs decrease health disparities and increase health care access for minority youth and families in rural areas
- SBHCs improve school attendance and performance
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