hiv

Pendleton Senator Wants HIV Information Exchange for Prison Guards at Risk

SB 367 allows prison doctors to disclose information about an inmate’s HIV or Hepatitis status if a correctional officer has been exposed to bodily fluids. A separate bill requires health insurers to continue coverage for children booked in juvenile hall.

Sen. Bill Hansell, R-Pendleton, has introduced two bills that are designed to improve public policy at the intersection of healthcare and corrections, allowing the physicians of prison guards to get information about HIV exposure and closing a loophole to require health insurers to cover medical costs for juveniles held on bail.

By:

Chris Gray

Oregon Says Its Plan Could End HIV Infections By 2021

Oregonians have a 1 in 200 chance of being diagnosed with HIV, according to the CDC.

But the Oregon Health Authority thinks that by focusing on three key strategies, all new infections can be stopped by 2021.

By:

Oregon Public Broadcasting

HIV Drugs Skyrocket for Consumers on Some Individual Health Plans

Advocates are proposing legislation that would limit out-of-pocket costs to $150 a month after some patients see insurance companies shift the cost for pricey HIV medications by as much as $1,200 a month, after paying just $40 a month under the old high-risk pool.

Last year, if a person with HIV was insured through the high-risk Oregon Medical Insurance Pool, he or she would chip in $40 a month to help cover the cost of medications.

By:

Christopher David Gray

Our House of Portland to Receive $350,000 to Expand In-Home Care Model

The grant is part of a $2.3 million “innovation fund” set aside for programs that could help the state lower costs and improve care

September 10, 2013 – Coordinated care is nothing new at Our House of Portland.

By:

Christen McCurdy

Mental Health Carve Out Bill Faced Governor’s Veto

The bill would have required the state to pay for drugs that treat mental illnesses, HIV/AIDS, cancer and immunosuppressant disorders

March 12, 2012—A bill that would have required the state to continue paying for drugs used for mental illnesses, HIV/AIDS, cancer, and immunosuppressant drugs until 2016 died in the last days of the Legislature, blocked by the House and facing a veto threat from Governor Kitzhaber.

By:

Amanda Waldroupe

Stakeholders Criticize Ban on Federal Funding for Syringe Exchange Programs

Most programs won't see a significant financial impact, but see the move as a step backward for public health

January 24, 2012 -- Syringe exchange programs are unlikely to suffer major financial impact as a result of a Congressional vote in December that halted federal funding.

“It's actually going to have minimal impact,” said Kathy Oliver, executive director of Outside In, which has been operating a needle exchange since 1989. “It's a giant step backward in terms of public policy.”

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