Millions of education dollars are being spent delivering healthcare in schools across Oregon – from insulin injections offered by a teacher, to mental health counseling at a high school, to a school nurse working with a medically fragile child.
In some schools, primary care clinics are even starting to emerge. Yet private insurance companies do not compensate for care that students receive at school. And the K-12 system is leaving some $40 million in Medicaid reimbursements uncollected.
When the Oregon Health Forum returns Aug. 23 from its summer hiatus, policy makers and practitioners will examine what’s already being done – and will look at how breaking down the wall between school funding and healthcare budgets could allow even more to be accomplished.
Kim Bartholomew, a school nurse for the Beaverton School District, will be joined by Republican state Rep. Julie Parrish of Tualatin, as well as other panelists to be announced, at the 7 a.m. Oregon Health Forum discussion.
Titled “Bridging the Gap Between K-12 Education & Healthcare, the event will take place at Multnomah Athletic Club, 1849 S.W. Salmon St, Portland.
Click here to purchase tickets. For sponsorship opportunities, email Diane Lund-Muzikant at [email protected].
