The Challenge

In Oregon, 12% or 113,000 children are uninsured.

· Recognized as part of the Safety Net system caring for those who are without insurance or are under-insured.

     o  45 School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs)

     o  Currently in 17 counties

     o  3 additional counties are in Phase I planning stages of opening new centers

· Estimated $900,000 in health care services delivered to uninsured students in Oregon (SY 2001-2002).

71% of surveyed SBHC clients reported they would not have received health services that day without the center.

· Served nearly 18,000 students with over 56,000 visits.

· Keeps parents from missing work to take students to health care services.

· Provide easily accessible physical, mental, and preventive health services.

1 in 4 adolescents are at risk for adverse health outcomes such as teen pregnancies, suicide, and substance abuse.

· Reinforces health promotion messages provided in school.

· Surveyed students reported their overall health was better due to their use of the SBHC.

· Developmentally appropriate care is provided by qualified health professionals: nurse practitioners, physician assistants, registered nurses, and mental heath counselors.

Student health status impacts educational outcomes.

· Loss of class time is reduced as reported by surveyed clinic users.

     o 51% reported they did not miss a class while using the center services.

     o 77% estimated they would miss one class or more if they had to go to a traditional clinic.

Health care is expensive.

· Value of services provided far exceeds the state dollars spent.

· $3-4 additional dollars are leveraged through local public-private partnerships for every $1 of State General Fund invested.

· Recognized by state and local insurance companies as an important and effective piece of healthcare delivery.