A $1.2 million cut to the state SBHC grant is proposed by the Governor in his 2012 budget recommendations.

This is the proposed cut, and is not a “done deal” —our hope is that the legislature will wipe this out of the budget in February, and that is promising for our SBHCs. However, our combined voices and stories must be heard to ensure this cut is not made.

What you can do to help stop these cuts:

Call or email your state legislators and the Governor:

• Find your state representative and senator’s phone numbers here or email here. 
• Call the Governors Citizens’ Representative Message Line -- 503.378.4582 or email the Governor here.

What you might say to your state representatives: 

My name is X and I live in X. I have heard that the Governor's 2012 budget recommendation includes a cut to school based health centers funding. I am calling to ask you to oppose these cuts. In our community, SBHCs are critically important (talk about your community—travel time to receive care/high need, etc).

They help our families find affordable and accessible health care right at school. Without our SBHC, many children would not get the health care they need to be healthy. SBHCs are one of the state’s smartest investments. Please do not allow these cuts to go through. Thank you. (Leave your contact information).

What you might say to the Governor: 

My name is X and I live in X. You sent cuts for SBHC funding to the legislature for approval this session. Governor Kitzhaber, you have been such a supporter in advancing health and academic success for kids. SBHCs are proven bridge between health and education, so please remedy this budget problem!

Help preserve your legacy and stop these cuts to school based health centers. If these cuts happen, many SBHCs will close or greatly reduce their hours. Children will not get the health care they need to be healthy and stay in school. SBHCs are one of Oregon’s smartest investments. Thank you. (Leave your contact information).

After your Call or Email

Email paula@osbhcn.org and put in the subject line “I contacted the Governor and state legislators. For more information call or email:  503-813-6400; paula@osbhcn.org 

What this cut means:

Impact on children and families:

• 50,000 children may lose or experience reduced access to primary care, mental health and prevention services because of reduced hours or closure of their school’s SBHC
• Children will miss more school to visit the doctor or because they have untreated illness
• Families will use more expensive care options (like the emergency room)
• Families will have to travel further in rural and frontier communities to find care for their children

Other impacts:

• Quality assurance and oversight of health centers will be in jeopardy
• There will be fewer providers who will accept Medicaid (Healthy Kids) patients
• Fewer qualified practitioners for an already under-served adolescent population
• Reduced capacity for health centers to get reimbursed by insurance
• Reduced ability to apply for federal grants

SBHCs are a smart investment:

• SBHCs are the ONLY primary care and mental health service providers WHERE KIDS ARE DURING THE SCHOOL DAY
• SBHCs are on the front lines in the fight against epidemics like the H1N1 virus
• SBHCs are a crucial partner in meeting the daily needs of kids with asthma, diabetes, injuries and more
• SBHCs save the state millions of dollars each year by preventing complications and more costly care: Studies show they reduce ER use and hospitalizations by half for asthmatic students alone
• SBHCs decrease health disparities and increase health care access for minority youth and families in rural areas
• SBHCs improve school attendance and performance