Health Care Reform Advocacy
From our storybank...
Moving the Health Care Constituency
OSPIRG is a 35-year old advocacy organization, with a full-time legislative presence at the capitol, tens of thousands of members across Oregon, and an online activist network of thousands of people.
In 2009, OSPIRG collaborated with Oregonians for Health Security (OHS), a leading voice in health care advocacy in Oregon, to split a one-year, $40,000 grant. The funding enabled the two groups to reach out to 30,000 Oregonians at community events, on the phone, online, and through media – all in an effort to mobilize support for a legislative bill to improve access to health care for all Oregonians.
Influenced by this, and fifteen other health care advocacy efforts funded by the Foundation, the Oregon Legislature passed two bills that are expected to cover 95% of Oregon’s uninsured children and extend coverage to an additional 35,000 low-income adults while instituting a reformed model of health care delivery for Oregonians.
“This may be the most important piece of legislation that we pass out of this building this session. This is a good deal for Oregon,” said Senator Alan Bates (D-Ashland).
...read moreGrantees:
OSPIRG Citizen Lobby
Moving the Health Care Constituency
2008 - To support statewide health reform advocacy activities, including lobbying, before and during the 2009 legislative session.
$40,000
Oregon Small Business for Responsible Leadership
Oregon Small Business Healthcare Initiative Mobilization Project
2008 - To establish an organization to mobilize the small business community in Oregon’s health reform conversation.
$40,000
Oregon School-Based Health Care Network
Building Grassroots Leadership for Policy Change
2008 - To increase youth and family advocacy for, and increase sustainability of, school-based health centers.
$40,000
Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon
Oregon Interfaith Health Justice Campaign
2008 - To mobilize a diverse partnership of the faith- and non-faith based consumers to advocate for statewide health reform.
$40,000
American Academy of Family Physicians - Oregon Chapter
Saving Lives, Saving Money: Finding a Cure for What Ails Health Care in America
2008 - To engage family physicians across Oregon in health reform activities.
$10,000
Washington Community Action Network Education and Research Fund
The Secure Health Care Program
2008 - To organize small business support of health reform in five counties of Southwest Washington.
$40,000
Stand for Children Leadership Center
Increasing Access to Health Care for Children
2008 - To fund advocacy for children’s dental services in Clackamas County and children’s health insurance in Portland.
$25,000