Attention: Ways and Means Human Services Subcommittee
From: The Urban League of Portland
Subject: Support for Senate Bill 1570
Please call for an immediate work session on the SB 1570 in the Ways and Means Human Services Subcommittee.

On behalf of the Urban League of Portland and our constituents which represent African Americans and others who support equality in education, employment, health, and economic security. African Americans represent more than 24,000 Medicaid recipients across the state of Oregon which is 36% of the total state population of African Americans. With that said, access to services, medication, and treatment on Medicaid is of great importance to African Americans.
Today we would like to submit our support behind Senate Bill 1570 which seeks to improve the access to medication for HIV/AIDS medication and protecting medication for cancer, seizer, and transplants as well. This bill is an important part of Health care reforms that would give Medicaid recipients the ability to access the essential lifesaving medications that are needed.
African Americans experience some of the greatest health disparities especially for new infections of HIV. In Oregon African Americans are more than three times as likely to contract HIV then Whites.
Please consider supporting this important legislation.
Cordially,

Ty Schwoeffermann
Health Equity Organizer
The Urban League of Portland
503-280-2600
tyschw@ulpdx.org