Make Health Care Agenda Part of Local Town Halls!

There are several bills in the state legislature that Oregon Patients Rights Association (OPRA) is following and support.   Friday local healthcare consumers will have the opportunity to ask our local state representatives what they are doing to protect patients' rights during this legislative session.   

For information about each bill that is part Oregon Patients Rights (OPRA) Legislative Agenda, please check out the links provided.

Jeff Kruse is on the Senate's Committee on Health Care , where most of these bills are currently being considered.   It is particularly important to ask Kruse to support OPRA's legislative agenda, which includes making non-profit hospitals and Coordinated Care Organizations (CCO) more accountable.  

Even if you can't make it to one of these meetings, you can email or call your state representatives to let them know your opinion.  

The following was sent out by State Senator Jeff Kruse regarding the upcoming Town Halls in Douglas County.

Rep. Dallas Heard And Sen. Jeff Kruse To Hold Series Of Town Halls

Forums Will Take Place In Roseburg, Winston And Myrtle Creek

Salem, OR – Representative Dallas Heard (R-Winston) and Senator Jeff Kruse (R-Roseburg) will host a series of town halls on Friday, March 27, 2015, to provide an overview of the 2015 legislative session and address constituent questions and concerns.

“Senator Kruse and I are excited to have the chance to meet with our constituents and provide an update on the legislative session,” said Rep. Heard. “We look forward to having the critical opportunity to hear directly from the people we represent in Salem. ”

The forums are open to the public and all residents are encouraged to attend. For more information, please contact Rep. Heard’s office at 503-986-1402 or rep.dallasheard@state.or.us.

Friday, March 27, 2015

Roseburg Town Hall Meeting

WHEN:             9:00 a.m.

WHERE:           Roseburg City Hall

City Council Chambers

                        900 SE Douglas Ave

                        Roseburg, OR 97470

Winston Town Hall Meeting

WHEN:             12:00 p.m.

WHERE:           Winston City Hall

City Council Chambers

                        210 NW Douglas Blvd.

                        Winston, OR 97496

Myrtle Creek Town Hall Meeting

WHEN:             3:00 p.m.

WHERE            Myrtle Creek Community Center

                        425 NW 2^nd Street

                        Myrtle Creek, OR 97457

  

If you are interested in reading my past newsletters please click on my webpage link below:

http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/kruse

Public Health is a Patients' Rights Issue!

Tonight, Douglas County Commissioners will hold the first of two public meetings regarding the future of public health services in our community.   Although Oregon Patients Rights Association (OPRA) does not focus on public health services,  these services are an important patients' rights issue.

Our county commissioners want to get out of the public health business.  However a push back by the community last year made sure that it was not going to be done quickly.  It was the community outcry that happened then that made sure there would be better opportunities for public information and input.  Tonight is one of those opportunities for you to take advantage of,  we encourage you to do so.  

What:       Douglas County Public Health Meetings

When:      1st Meeting

Monday, March 16, 2015

5:30 pm

Douglas County Library, 

Roseburg

                 2nd Meeting

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Unfortunately , like all taxpayer funded services, your rights as a consumer are reduced when someone other than a government runs a program.   This will be no different if public health services are contracted out to private (either profit or non-profit) entities.  We should move slowing and carefully regarding any changes about who is responsible for public health in Douglas County.