The Willamette Health Council (WHC), in partnership with PacificSource Community Solutions, is pleased to support local Oregon Health Plan renewal work in the Marion-Polk region. Consistent with their missions, leveraging joint investment between WHC and PacificSource, seven community-based organizations and the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde were recently awarded $400,000 collectively to increase their capacity to assist people with the renewals process. The Oregon Health Plan is Oregon’s Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program.
Individuals must meet specific eligibility criteria, including income, to qualify. With the federal COVID-19 public health emergency ending in early May, Oregon is now in the process of redetermining eligibility for more than 1.4 million people on the Oregon Health Plan. In the Marion-Polk region, this includes approximately 145,000 people.
Organizations awarded funding include:
- Catholic Community Services
- COFA Alliance National Network of Oregon
- Interface Network
- Mano a Mano
- Northwest Family Services
- Northwest Human Services
- Oregon Marshallese Community Association
- The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde
“WHC is committed to partnering with local, trusted organizations to help people get the information and support they need to maintain their health coverage, and if they are no longer eligible for OHP, being assisted in accessing another plan option through Oregon’s Health Insurance Marketplace. We are particularly concerned about institutionally underserved communities, such as those experiencing homelessness, and want to do our part to help ensure as few people fall through the cracks as possible,” says Josie Silverman-Méndez, WHC’s Deputy Director.
The WHC is also working with their Community Advisory Council to support local outreach and communication efforts so that people have the information they need to take appropriate action. “It is key for people to open the mail they receive from the Oregon Health Plan and do what it says. Our committee recently worked with the state to develop a poster that shares this important message in simple language that they can understand,” comments Sarah Smith, WHC’s Community Advisory Council Program Manager. The Community Advisory Council membership includes people on the Oregon Health Plan and those who are parents or guardians of members. They advise the Marion-Polk Coordinated Care Organization, which is operated by PacificSource Community Solutions, to ensure it remains responsive to member needs.
About the Willamette Health Council: Founded in 2019, the Willamette Health Council (WHC) is the community governance body for PacificSource Community Solutions, Marion County and Polk County Coordinated Care Organization (Marion-Polk CCO). Under this partnership model, the WHC collaborates with PacificSource to jointly manage the CCO and is responsible for much of the community-facing work. The WHC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Learn more about our work at www.willamettehealthcouncil.org.
About PacificSource Community Solutions: PacificSource Community Solutions is part of the PacificSource family of companies that provides Medicaid services to Central Oregon and the Columbia Gorge, as well as Lane, Marion, and Polk Counties. PacificSource Health Plans is an independent, not-for-profit community health plan serving the Northwest. Founded in 1933, PacificSource has local offices throughout Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Washington. The PacificSource family of companies employs more than 1,800 people and serves over 600,000 individuals throughout the Greater Northwest. For more information, visit PacificSource.com.
