Advocacy

Our programs give Oregonians the tools to stay healthy as well as offer health care providers a chance to contribute to a social justice-oriented organization. The PANOW team is proud to be involved in a range of state-wide leadership initiatives, advising on state-level policy decisions that have an impact on our region and clients.

Our Advocacy Committee gives voice to those served by Project Access NOW and like-minded organizations by influencing the perspectives of those who make and shape policy. Interested in joining the Advocacy Committee? Learn more about board and committee work.

Access to Equitable Care

Health Information and Data

• Ensure health care providers and social service entities are equipped with the technology to efficiently communicate and promote access to medical and non-medical resources that impact health. 

• Advocate for health data privacy protections. 

• Relevant Policies Include: Community Information Exchange, LC 440 Confidentiality in REALD & SOGI Data, HB 3039, and HB 3159. 

Health Insurance Coverage

• Ensure all Oregonians have access to affordable health care coverage and are provided with culturally-specific assistance while enrolling in coverage. 

• Advocate for the adoption of new policies that will expand eligibility for state-sponsored coverage. 

• Advocate for the role of community-based organizations within the Medicaid system as the leading voice in the fight for health equity and equal access to health care. 

• Relevant policies may include: HB 4035 (Bridge Plan), Public Option LC, Universal Health Plan proposal, and State-Based Marketplace LC. 

Access to Medical Care and Services

• Ensure all Oregonians—regardless of immigration status or identity—have access to health care services. 

• Improve utilization of non-medical care team members, such as Traditional Health Workers (THWs), Community Health Workers (CHWs), and navigators. 

• Collaborate with our partners to promote easy access to recommended vaccinations. 

• Advocate for equitable access to behavioral health services for all Oregonians. 

• Relevant policies may include: Measure 110 and LC 502 Payer Parity in Behavioral Health Crisis Services. 

Social Determinants of Wellbeing

Health-Related Services

• Advocate to ensure regional, state, and federal Medicaid entities can spend money flexibly on the non-medical factors which drive health. 

• Collaborate with Coordinated Care Organizations to demonstrate how we have administered Health Related Service dollars to offer members needed social supports. 

• Advocate to support initiatives that fund and resource community-based organizations who provide social support to marginalized communities. 

• When new coverage options arise, advocate for the inclusion of Health Related Services in those coverage benefits.

• Support an improvement for resources to non-medical providers and social service entities who help ensure individuals are not hospitalized unnecessarily.  

• Relevant policies may include: 1115 Medicaid Demonstration Waiver, HB 3353, Bridge Plan, Universal Health Plan, and Public Option.  

Climate and Food Justice

• Ensure vulnerable communities have access to resources that prevent negative health outcomes during heatwaves, wildfires, and other climate-related events.  

• Advocate for access to healthy food for communities in need, prioritizing local food producers. 

• Demonstrate Project Access NOW’s strong work in administering these resources and partner with entities that are promoting these concepts. 

Housing

• Promote housing stability by advocating to ensure people in the tri-county area can stay safely housed, in a quality structure, while affording rent and avoiding eviction. 

• Prioritize a focus on longer-term solutions to safe and secure housing. 

• Relevant policies may include: City camping bans and sanctioned homeless encampments and Measure 26-210 (Metro Supportive Housing).