Health policies designed to improve health equity are gaining momentum among Oregon legislators and educational professionals teaming up on legislation focused on expanding a broad network of school-based health centers to disproportionately serve individuals from historically marginalized communities.
Oregon already has established strong case studies of success of school-based health centers (SBHCs) in providing better access and health outcomes to those who otherwise would lack the resources or other capabilities to secure quality health care. Over 80 SBHCs exist in Oregon with more than 25 located in rural, frontier and urban counties in which individuals have long suffered worse health access and outcomes than their counterparts with greater resources to access and benefit from quality health care. As an example, over 60% of the existing SBHCs are located in regions in which shortages exist in primary care professionals.
Among the legislators seeking adoption of policies that would increase the number of SBHCs located in elementary, middle and high schools is Representative Maxine Dexter whose pending bill would also provide support for SBHCs at combined-grade campuses. The support for this type of legislation has been growing quickly in Oregon, in part because nearly 60% of children using SBHCs are Medicaid members, while the proportion remains very high of Medicaid members and other lower resourced individuals who still cannot access SBHCs.
Other elements of the legislation include the following:
— Grants for 10 school districts to plan for the development of SBHCs
— A comprehensive study for reimbursement of mental health services in SBHCs
— Inclusion of a SBHC inflation adjustment for workforce
— Issuance of bonds for the construction of SBHCs
With school-aged children experiencing not only physical health issues in areas in which SBHCs are not present, but also mental and behavioral health issues that were exacerbated by Covid-19, the timing of this legislation is being hailed by proponents as very important. Health equity advocates also are lauding the policies as a potential roadmap for other states to follow as well.
