OUR 2024 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

The Unite Oregon Action Agenda outlines our policy priorities for the 2024 legislative session. Our membership voted on all campaigns at the Annual United for Action Summit in 2023.

Oregon Health Care Interpreters (HCI) provide essential services to our limited english proficiency population, yet they face unprecedented turnover due to bad working conditions, abusive language service companies, and no healthcare or other benefits.

Senate Bill 1578: Support Health Care Interpreters

SB 1578 AIMS TO:

  • Develop an online portal offering billing and payment functionalities tailored for Health Care Interpreters (HCI)

  • Empower HCI to manage their schedules and set their hourly wages through the portal

  • Enable HCI to become Medicaid providers, necessitating an application for a 1115 waiver, which typically provides a 50-60% match

  • Implement a recruitment and retention program for HCI, overseen by a nonprofit organization

Oregon voters, amidst the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, recognized the state's worsening crisis. This led to the overwhelming approval of Measure 110 by a 17-point margin, garnering support from diverse counties, both urban and rural, and across the political spectrum.

The measure abolishes criminal penalties for minor, nonviolent drug offenses, opting instead for a health-focused, evidence-based approach to substance use. It acknowledges that drug users are members of our communities—our family, friends, and neighbors.

Over the next two years, Measure 110 will allocate $302 million to enhance accessibility to addiction recovery and harm reduction services. Already, the measure has prevented thousands of arrests. By fully and promptly implementing Measure 110, Oregon can lead the nation with an innovative, data-driven strategy to combat drug use, potentially saving numerous lives.

We invite you to join the M110 Decrim Action Team to remain informed! By doing so, you'll receive regular updates on all matters related to M110, opportunities to participate, stay informed about the bill's progress, and access relevant articles! Don't forget to share this opportunity with fellow members!

Measure 110: Oregonians for Safety & Recovery

Currently, our elected officials in Salem are pushing forward with proposals to reintroduce criminal penalties for drug possession in Oregon. This action threatens to regress our progress by years and jeopardize the safety of our fellow community members. It's well-documented that Black and brown Oregonians face disproportionate policing, arrest, and prosecution under severe drug laws. Should this bill pass, it will unfairly impact communities of color, immigrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, those facing poverty and homelessness, as well as rural Oregon residents.

However, collective action empowers us. By mobilizing our communities, we can counter the damaging and inaccurate narratives promoted by affluent special interests aiming to incarcerate our neighbors and revive the failed War on Drugs. It's crucial that we communicate to our elected representatives that Oregonians are advocating for healing and rehabilitation, not further criminalization, as the solution to our overdose crisis. This is why we urge you to join our efforts – every contribution is essential in this endeavor.