On Wednesday, economists from the Oregon Office of Economic Analysis (OOEA) delivered the quarterly overview of the state's revenue and economy to the House and Senate Revenue committees. Overall, the economic improvements unveiled in September are holding and providing some stability amongst the chaos even as individual Oregonians continue to be hard hit.

This stability or continued growth in revenue isn't enough to accommodate the rising costs of public services and increased case loads, but as legislators prepare the budget for the next biennium, which begins July 1, 2021, it could make anticipated cuts a little less painful.

The new forecast does come with caveats. Economists stressed that it was based on assumptions that a treatment or vaccine for COVID-19 would be available by mid or late 2021 and that Congress would approve another federal stimulus package early next year:

"Expectations remain that the economic expansion will endure. The recovery will be faster overall than in past severe recessions," said state economist Josh Lehner. "This is due to a key assumption regarding a widely available medical treatment by next fall. After that, economic growth should accelerate."

After the joint committee meeting on Wednesday, House Speaker Tina Kotek called for Governor Kate Brown to convene a virtual special session in December to approve more emergency funding especially for housing in lieu of further federal aid.

The Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council also projected tough yet hopeful news this week, showing stronger than expected tax revenues. Both Oregon and Washington will release updated revenue and economic forecasts early in 2021.

The OOEA presentation and summary are posted and a recording of the committee meeting is available for streaming.

Once again, Oregonians show they overwhelmingly support the Oregon Health Plan as well as public health programs to help reduce vaping and smoking. On November 3, Measure 108 passed with 67% of the vote.

Measure 108 takes effect January 1, 2021. Revenue from the vaping and tobacco tax is expected to yield $111 million this biennium and $331 million for the 2021-2023 biennium. Ninety-percent of those funds go directly to the Oregon Health Plan. Below is a revenue breakdown, including federal matching fund dollars.

The Oregon Health Authority's Transformation Center and the Oregon Rural Practice-based Research Network (ORPRN) will support free technical assistance for clinics related to SBIRT for unhealthy alcohol and drug use. SBIRT is a “must-pass” incentive measure for CCOs in 2021. Clinics across Oregon are invited to participate in these free technical assistance opportunities.

This collaborative project, ANTECEDENT, can provide primary care clinics with 12 months of tailored support to implement changes to address unhealthy alcohol use at no-cost to the participating clinics. Additionally, ORPRN is offering a complementary technical assistance opportunity regarding chronic pain management and opioid prescribing (aka PINPOINT).

Check out program flyer for more information.

Arcadia Healthcare Solutions has developed a new complimentary outreach program that enables automated text and robocall messages to engage CCO members. The program can help promote wellness visits, encourage immunizations and screenings, boost awareness of clinic openings and Covid-19 safety and screening protocols, as well as custom "create-your-own" messaging. The texts can also provide links to self-assessments for patient-reported data around access to care or health status.

The Oregon Law Center has a new website with legal information and resources for people affected by the Oregon wildfires (and any subsequent disasters):

This website includes all the informational flyers (under “Key Issues”). Importantly, there are now lawyers available to help people who want to appeal a denial of benefits from FEMA. Individuals who are low-income and may be eligible for legal aid services should contact their local legal aid office for help.

In addition, the Oregon State Bar has a legal hotline where volunteer lawyers may offer brief advice, referrals, and/or direct representation in a FEMA appeal. 1-800-452-7636. Also available is the pro bono assistance and materials from the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association to support people with insurance claims after the wildfires.

Sections 40-43 of House Bill 4212 (2020) require the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to adopt rules requiring health care providers to collect Race, Ethnicity, Language, and Disability (REALD) data for all COVID-19 encounters and report this data in accordance with Oregon’s disease reporting rules.

To learn about these changes, join OHA's REALD learning series last session November 20 from noon to 1 p.m.

You can also find data collection templates, guides to asking questions, the full implementation guide, and other resources on the REALD website.

‘No one is listening to us’, The Atlantic

COVID-19: Oregon's temporary paid leave program, The Chief

What doctors aren’t always taught: How to spot racism in health care, Kaiser Health News

How losing the Affordable Care Act could undo years of progress in the Medicaid program, The Commonwealth Fund

Oregon’s tobacco tax increase, electronic cigarette tax measure passes, Oregon Public Broadcasting

Kaiser Permanente dentists to begin offering flu vaccinations, KOIN

Oregon OSHA Issues COVID-19 temporary rule, The National Law Review

Black Oregonians struggle to find mental health care amid increasing need, Oregon Public Broadcasting

What you need to know about the Moderna and Pfizer coronavirus vaccines, Washington Post

Oregon hospitals are nearly full already and COVID is getting worse, Willamette Week

Oregon lawmakers approve divisive housing plan for the homeless, The Center Square

Safety-net providers focus on population health and community outreach as part of their pandemic response, The Commonwealth Fund

Medicaid expansion with adult dental coverage results in reduced emergency department dental visits, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities

Oregon hospitals halt some surgeries in state's coronavirus surge, KATU

Public health programs see surge in students amid pandemic, Kaiser Health News

Open enrollment gets underway amid pandemic, job losses, Portland Business Journals

CMS gives states more flexibility in setting Medicaid managed care capitation rates, Fierce Healthcare