July 2, 2013
July 2, 2013– Today, the Oregon Senate passed a bill to strengthen the role of school based health centers in the health care system. It passed the House of Representatives on Friday. Last academic year, there were more than 70,000 visits by students at the 63 statecertified centers. Students received physical, mental, and preventative health services, such as routine physical exams, treatment of minor injuries, grief therapy, and tobacco prevention. “We know that healthy kids stay in school, and have an easier time learning,” added Nathanson. “This bill will help clinics across the state and more students will have direct access to health care.” House Bill 2445, sponsored by Representative Nancy Nathanson (D-Eugene), provides legislative authorization for the school-based health center program currently operated by the Oregon Health Authority. It provides $4 million to add new clinics and to help others with modernizing health records and business systems. “We want to help school based health centers operate as effectively as possible,” said Nathanson. “This takes us a big step forward to help shape and support them”.
