Our next meeting is Thursday, Feb. 2nd, room H-278 at the State Capitol. Please join us!
The Oregon Women’s Health and Wellness Alliance is a bipartisan group of legislators, health care personnel, state and local agency staff and citizen advocates dedicated to promoting the health, safety and economic well being of women.
Beginning in 1993 this group has developed and introduced a package of bills each legislative session. As the public has become aware of these bills, support and momentum has grown. We welcome your participation, please contact us to join the group.
The Oregon Women’s Health and Wellness Alliance is co-chaired by one member on the house side and one member on the senate side. The current Co-Chairs are Representative Sara Gelser and Senator Elizabeth Steiner Hayward.
On February 17, the Oregon Women’s Health and Wellness Alliance, led by Co-Chairs Senate Majority Leader Diane Rosenbaum (D-Portland) and Representative Carolyn Tomei, Co-Chair of the House Human Services Committee (D-Milwaukie), announced a package of legislation for the 2011 session that seeks to make a serious impact on the health and well-being of Oregon women and their families.
“It is my hope that with the support and hard work of this alliance we can address some of the important issues facing women today,” said Rosenbaum. “We have a good list of priorities that can really improve the lives of Oregon women. I’m especially proud of a bill we’re promoting to close a loophole in Oregon’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Program so that women who are diagnosed with breast and cervical cancer outside of the Program – say, through their family physician – are still eligible for treatment through the Oregon Health Plan.”
In addition to legislation that expands eligibility for lifesaving breast and cervical cancer treatment for low-income women, the Alliance’s slate of priorities for the 2011 session includes maternal mental health outreach and education and the preservation of funding for critical services for victims of domestic violence.
“In past sessions, we have achieved contraceptive equity for women, helped breast-feeding mothers and increased job security for victims of domestic violence,” said Tomei. “We’re going to build on those successes with additional protections for women throughout the state of Oregon.”
The legislators were joined today by other elected officials and a wide range of supporters of the Oregon Women’s Health and Wellness. Other speakers included Christine McDonald, Executive Director of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and Portland resident Anastacia Papadopulous, who shared her personal experience with domestic violence and the resources offered by the Portland Women’s Crisis Line.
Founded in 1993, OWHWA is a bipartisan group of legislators, health care personnel, state and local agency staff and citizen advocates dedicated to promoting the health, safety and economic well being of women
Please join the Oregon Women’s Health and Wellness Alliance, Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, Baby Blues Connection and Postpartum Support International as we celebrate May as Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month.
DATE: Friday, May 7
TIME: 10:30 AM
LOCATION: Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, 2801 N. Gantenbein Avenue, Admin Building, Conference Rm 1075, Portland
Speakers include Oregon State Representative Carolyn Tomei, Dr. Greg Eilers from Legacy Women’s Clinic, survivor moms, and representatives of Oregon Maternal Mental Health Workgroup. With the passage of HB 3625 in 2010, May has been designated as Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month in Oregon. Hear the stories of recovering mothers and learn about the progress of the Maternal Mental Health Work Group.
For more information, contact Wendy Davis, www.postpartum.net, 503-246-0941
National Women’s Health Week, May 9-15, is a weeklong health observance coordinated by the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Heatlh (OWH). During National Women’s Health Week, communities, businesses, government, health organizations and other groups work to educate women about the steps they can take to improve their physcial and mental health and lower the risks of certain disease.
A variety of materials for planning activities are now posted on the the National Women’s Health Week Website. The Oregon Women’s Health and Wellness Alliance has asked Governor Kulongoski to proclaim May 9-15 as Women’s Health Week. Also, grant funding is available to help local organizations with their activities. For more information, contact Emilee I COULTER-THOMPSON [emilee.i.coulter-thompson@state.or.us].
Please join the Oregon Women’s Health and Wellness Alliance, Children First and other advocates for an Employment Related Day Care Rally on Tuesday, Feb. 9, in the Galleria at the Capitol. Funding for ERDC is due to run out July 2010. Continuing funding is vital to help many low income parents continue to work. See our fact sheet for more information.
Mark your calendars now. The Women’s Health and Wellenss Alliance will meet on Fridays at noon at the State Capitol in room H278 during the short February session, Feb. 5, 12, 19 and 26.
Because of the short duration of the session, we won’t have a formal Legislative Agenda, but members will be following several issues, including BPA ban in children’s products, funding for the Employment Related Day Care program, maternal mental health, insurance discrimination against victims of violence, and others.
For more information, contact Debbie, in Rep. Carolyn Tomei’s office, 503-986-1441, or Megan, in Sen. Diane Rosenbaum office, 503-986-1721.
The 2009 Session saw unprecedented successes. The Alliance was able to see the passage of seven priority bills. In 2009 the Women’s Health and Wellness Alliance passed: SB 316, SB 928, HB 2343, HB 2666, HB 2794, HB 3022 and HB 3273. Thanks to all who helped contribute to this year’s success!
As the Legislature heads to the interim, make sure you contact us with your ideas for future legislation. Please use the ‘contact us’ tab at the top of the page.
