The 2023 session is right around the corner. With it being an odd numbered year, the 2023 session is a long session, kicking off on January 16th and adjourning sine die scheduled for June 25th. With the extensive construction still going on at the Capitol building, it’s going to be an interesting session. The Capitol building is open to the public, but only the south entrance is open along with the hearing rooms and the legislative offices.
Even with the physical challenges present at the capital, the American Heart Association has a full policy agenda we will be advocating for.
- Tobacco Flavor Restrictions: Tobacco related illness remains the leading cause of death in Oregon. With 95% of smokers starting before the age of 18, we have more work to do in preventing youth addiction. In the 2023 session we will be continuing our local work in statewide effort advocating for the restriction of the sale of all flavored tobacco products, including menthol and mint to protect Oregon youth from a lifetime of addiction.
- Re-securing funding for SNAP incentives programs: Advocating for the continued financial support from the state for Double Up Food Bucks incentivizing SNAP participants to access healthy fresh and local fruits and vegetables by doubling their purchasing power on healthy foods.
- Extending Medicaid Coverage to One-year Post-Partum: Caring for women and birthing parents in their reproductive years – while ensuring maternal health is equitable across populations – begins long before pregnancy and lasts well beyond childbirth. To help moms through the first year with a new baby, we will work to secure funding to extend postpartum health coverage in Medicaid from 60 days to one year.
- Time Sensitive Emergency Policies: Work to improve outcomes of patients experiencing time sensitive emergencies, like heart attack and stroke, through registries, facility designations for hospitals and EMS Triage, transfer, and transport plans. This will ensure that no matter where in Oregon someone experiences a time- sensitive emergency they receive the same quality of care (multi-year).
Keep an eye on your email for action alerts to have your voice heard on these and other important topics in the coming year.
Wishing you and yours a happy holiday season.
hero_image_alt_text===A picture of the Oregon Capitol building. A stone building with a centered dome.
thumbnail===https://assets.nationbuilder.com/yourethecure/pages/29273/attachments/original/1670606408/Oregon_State_Capitol_1%20Cropped%20%281%29.jpg?1670606408
thumbnail_alt_text===A picture of the Oregon Capitol building. A stone building with a centered dome.
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