The 2009 Oregon Legislative Session came to a close this week. And despite tremendous challenges and an unprecedented economic crisis, there is some good news to report for many programs and services that help Oregon’s seniors and disabilities.
Thank you, members of the Campaign for Oregon’s Seniors and People with Disabilities. You worked together and collectively wore your yellow scarves and buttons. You rallied at the Capitol for Legislative Action Days. You testified at hearings, met with your legislators, turned out to Town Halls and Ways & Means hearings, and made thousands of calls and e-mails. You hand wrote postcards to your elected officials and showed up at community forums across the state.
You made a difference.
- You helped stop deep budget cuts that would have devastated Oregon’s innovative and cost-effective model of long-term care.
- More than $30 million in proposed budget cuts to Oregon’s home care workers and those they serve were restored.
- More than $18 million in proposed budget cuts to seniors in nursing facilities that would have negatively impacted quality of care were reversed.
- You helped preserve one of Oregon’s flagship long-term care programs — Oregon Project Independence — at its current funding level that helps keep vulnerable Oregonians in their home and from entering more costly care options.
- You helped leverage millions in funding for special needs transportation to help seniors and people with disabilities stay mobile and connected in their communities.
Thanks again. Together, we can keep Oregon working and a place that respects those at the dawn, twilight and shadows of their lives despite these tough economic times.
Please stay in touch. We can be reached at 503-513-7375 or info@oregonspromise.org.