HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER BRUCE HANNA

REP. HANNA PRESENTS BILL TO ASSURE STABLE FUNDING TO

 SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH CENTERS

SALEM— House Republican Leader Bruce Hanna (R-Roseburg) today testified in support of HB 3349, his bill to strengthen the fiscal sustainability and stability of Oregon’s school-based health centers (SHBCs). The bill, heard today in the House Health Care Committee, requires state and county governments to allocate any new funding based on the percentage of clients in a county served by each center.

“School-Based Health Centers are a national model designed to ease access to health care by reducing the barriers that have historically prevented adolescents from seeking the health services they need,” Rep. Hanna told the committee. “SHBC practitioners provide a full range of services for all students, regardless of whether or not they have health insurance coverage.”

Rep. Hanna said the centers provide healthcare access to more than 39,000 students.  During the 2007-2008 school year, nearly 21,000 students received services in over 69,000 visits.  This included more than $1.2 million dollars in healthcare services to uninsured students.

“Currently Oregon has 44 SBHCs located in 19 counties, both urban and rural, unfortunately one clinic had to close last year,” Rep. Hanna said. “It is also important to note that in rural areas, the centers provide services to siblings, families, and community members as well.”

Part of the funding for SBHCs comes through DHS General Fund dollars, which are transferred to Local Public Health Authorities (LPHA) using a formula that provides four different tiers of funding based on the number of certified SBHC in a county. Additional funding is received through schools, school districts, county health departments, hospitals, community providers, local businesses and individuals, grants and fund raising.

Because SBHCs treat patients regardless of insurance status, Rep. Hanna said HB 3349 brings stability to the centers by helping them offset costs that can’t be recovered through insurance plans.

“Over the last several years I have supported the efforts by DHS to expand the number of SBHC in our state,” Rep. Hanna said. “My proposal would allow DHS to distribute the additional funds based on the number of clients served by the clinic. HB 3349 will address the need to strengthen the sustainability of our existing SBHC during these difficult economic times to protect the vital service they provide.”

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