At less than halfway through the Oregon 2021 legislative session, here are some highlights of OPS’s advocacy agenda and some linked member testimony to bills that are still being considered by the state legislature. [3/31/21]

PROMOTING CHILDHOOD VACCINATION

We will continue to push the legislature for laws to protect vulnerable kids from vaccine-preventable diseases. Let us know if you want to join OPS’s Immunity Community of pro-vaccine clinicians, parents, and community members.

GUN SAFETY

More than a dozen OPS members, including pediatrician Rep. Lisa Reynolds, MD, provided testimony to the House Health Care committee for HB 2510, requiring safe firearm storage at home to decrease accidental, intentional, and gun suicide deaths and injuries.

The AAP advocates for increased research in gun violence prevention, and among other gun reform measures, supports universal background checks and a federal ban on assault weapons.

ANTI-RACISM

OPS joins with a broad coalition supporting HB 2337. As OPS Board President Alanna Braun, MD, said in her bill testimony, “Health equity is not possible until we address racism in our state and communities. We need to name this problem, to face it head on and start to work to mitigate the effects of racism. So please, let us name it: racism is a public health crisis, and we must act now.”

We support efforts to study and reduce Early Childhood School Expulsion (SB 236).

OPS endorses HB 3265, which would strengthen Oregon’s Sanctuary State laws.

SUICIDE PREVENTION

OPS is an active member of the Oregon Alliance to Prevent Suicide and supports HB 2315 requiring training in suicide assessment for behavioral health workers.

REDUCING YOUTH ACCESS AND ADDICTION TO NICOTINE

We support Tobacco Retail Licensing (SB 587) and (HB 2261), which prohibits selling vaping products to youth online.

HEALTHCARE ACCESS

OPS supports broader access to pediatric primary and specialty care, and behavioral health visits, through telehealth (HB 2508). We believe ABA Therapy for kids with autism should be paid for by insurance (SB 355). We think Child Advocacy Centers that coordinate services for and treat kids who have been abused should be much better funded (HB 2826).

CLIMATE CHANGE and ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

Climate change advocates from AAP chapters around the country will be featured at OPS’s Saturday, April 17 virtual CME conference. Register here.

Some of the other OPS bill endorsements include: 

Funding for Reach Out and Read, Support for Unaccompanied Houseless Youth, Strengthening the School Meals program, Less Toxic Kid Products, Creating a State Early Childhood Equity in Access Report, Preschool Access Expansion, and Public Health Modernization.