PORTLAND—Today, the Oregon Primary Care Association (OPCA) announced its Health Center Heroes for 2015—four policymakers who have worked to improve Oregonians’ access to health care and to strengthen the healthcare workforce in underserved communities.
OPCA, the non-profit association of Oregon’s 33 Community Health Centers, recognizes State Representatives Vic Gilliam (R- Silverton), Cedric Hayden (R-Roseburg), Alissa Keny-Guyer (D- Portland) and Nancy Nathanson (D-Eugene) as its 2015 Health Center Heroes.
“Health Center Heroes make a world of difference for Community Health Centers and our patients,” said Craig Hostetler, OPCA Executive Director. “We recognize them for their vision, dedication and tireless work to improve the lives of many of Oregon’s most vulnerable people.”
Rep. Vic Gilliam: Representative Gilliam is a key champion for extending access to health care to all Oregonians. In 2015, he continued this leadership as a steadfast and vocal proponent for the effort to allow Oregon officials to extend health coverage to all Oregon children to best serve these children, protect public health, and meet Oregon’s existing goals to improve the overall health of Oregonians.
Rep. Cedric Hayden: A new member of the Legislature in 2015, Representative Hayden was instrumental in advancing bi-partisan policy changes to improve timely access to dental services for pregnant women on the Oregon Health Plan.
Rep. Alissa Keny-Guyer: Representative Keny-Guyer is committed to maternal and child health and championing policies to advance health equity. In 2015, she worked across party lines with Health Center Hero Rep. Hayden to ensure timely access to dental care for pregnant women, and with Health Center Hero Rep. Gilliam to lead the effort to extend health coverage to all Oregon’s children. This is the second year that Keny-Guyer has been recognized as a Health Center Hero.
Rep. Nancy Nathanson: Representative Nathanson has been a strong steward of Oregon’s maturing health transformation. She is a staunch advocate for the need for effective solutions to the health care workforce shortage in rural and underserved communities across Oregon and her leadership in the 2015 session paves the way for important advances in this area. This is the second year that Nathanson has been recognized as a Health Center Hero.
ABOUT THE AWARD:
OPCA recognizes a select number of Health Center Heroes after each Oregon Legislative Session to celebrate champions who have led policy efforts to improve the health of our of patients and the ability of Oregon’s Community Health Centers to serve this important population. Health Center Heroes awarded in previous years include Congressman Earl Blumenauer; State Reps. Mitch Greenlick, Tina Kotek, Jennifer Williamson, Val Hoyle; and State Sens. Laurie Monnes Anderson and Elizabeth Steiner Hayward.
ABOUT OREGON’S COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS:
Community Health Centers, also called Federally Qualified Health Centers, deliver integrated medical, dental and behavioral health services to people in Oregon’s most vulnerable communities. Over 73% of our patients live below the poverty line, and many struggle with the challenges of homelessness, hunger, cultural and language barriers, rural or social isolation, and chronic mental illness. Health centers serve patients regardless of their ability to pay, and work with patients to address their individual social and economic barriers to health, in addition to addressing their medical needs.
The need for health centers has grown over the last few decades. Oregon’s 33 Community Health Centers now operate more than 200 primary care clinics across the state, serving nearly 400,000 Oregonians. One in ten Oregonians receive their care at a health center, including one in four people on the Oregon Health Plan.
ABOUT THE OREGON PRIMARY CARE ASSOCIATION (OPCA):
OPCA’s mission is to lead the transformation of primary care to achieve health equity for all. As the association of Oregon’s Community Health Centers, OPCA provides technical assistance, training and support to health centers and other primary care and safety net providers throughout Oregon. The organization also advances policy solutions to improve the health of health center patients and all Oregonians.
Visit www.orpca.org for more information about OPCA and Oregon’s Community Health Centers.
