Director's Message

January 13, 2006

To: DHS employees

From: Dr. Bruce Goldberg, DHS Director

“In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life:  it goes on.”

Robert Frost, American poet

Indeed,  life goes on.  This week I’d like to update you on a couple of the important issues we have been dealing with and an announcement of a celebratory event.

Federal Prescription Drug Program

The issue making state and national news this week centered on the implementation of the new federal prescription drug program.  The launch heralded the start of the largest change in Medicare in 40 years – a drug benefit for more than 45 million seniors and people with disabilities.

Unfortunately, there were implementation problems across the country. Oregon, like all other states, has been deluged with complaints from hundreds of seniors and people with disabilities who are having trouble getting their needed medications.

Staff in our department have put in a phenomenal effort to try to answer these calls and provide as much assistance as they could to hundreds of Oregonians who asked DHS to help them. They have worked tirelessly to problem-solve issues, answer phone calls, and intervene with pharmacies, health plans, and the federal government. They have worked nights and weekends. You have been doing great work. Thank you!

Today, Governor Ted Kulongoski executed an emergency relief plan to provide temporary assistance to the thousands of Oregon Medicare/Medicaid beneficiaries currently being denied access to critical medications as a result of administrative failures under the new Medicare prescription drug benefit. 

Under the Governor’s plan, the state will reimburse pharmacies for a 30-day supply of medication if the pharmacist is not able to bill Medicare or one of the benefit plans.  The governor’ s plan is expected to help about 100 Oregon dual eligibles per day. The state will seek reimbursement from the federal government for those costs.

The Governor’s action today should go a long way in helping  Oregonians who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid to access medication guaranteed under the new Medicare benefit. 

Legislative Interim Hearing on DHS

The House Interim Committee -- focused on the Department and issues relating to how it operates and is organized -- met for the first time this week. Much of the hearing was spent reviewing factors contributing to the department’s projected $172 million shortfall for this biennium.   The committee also asked for a report on eligibility for our programs, particularly as it relates to the services the department provides to undocumented citizens – largely required by state or federal law. 

The committee commended the department in a number of areas – especially applauding its commitment to accountability and transparency in providing information to legislators and the public.  A number of sessions will be held with this group throughout the interim period prior to the next legislative session. The Committee indicated that it plans to have a proposal for changes and improvements to be made to the department prior to the next session.  I will keep you posted.

Martin Luther King Day

Martin Luther King Day may be once per year, but his legacy and what he stood for goes on every day.  We will have an opportunity to reflect on what Dr. King accomplished and how we can continue to carry out his legacy, here in the central office on Friday, Jan. 20, noon to 3 p.m. in the Human Services Building, Room 137 A-D. The themes of the celebration will be "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" and "The dream -- is it still alive?" 

Peggy Ross, the governor's Affirmative Action Director, will emcee the event, which will include dynamic speakers from the African-American community and a performance by the Youth Praise Dancers. Speakers will include: Donovan L. Rivers, keynote speaker, founder and CEO of Apostolic Clergy Advisory Council and a top national and international speaker; Yugen F. Rashad of Portland, program coordinator of the African American Tobacco Prevention and Education Network; Roy Jay, president of the African-American Chamber of Commerce of Oregon; and Sheryl A. Dash, DHS recruitment and retention specialist, Office of Human Resources.

It’s important to take the time to reflect, implement and practice the values and the lessons that Dr. King passed on.   He set examples  --  working for justice and equality, what he was able to overcome and accomplish in his own life, and the way in which he approached the challenges of the day.  We should look toward these for inspiration and continue to aspire to them as we work to serve some of the most disadvantaged among us every day.

I think these words from Dr. King are particularly pertinent to our work.  “All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.“

This message is intended for all department employees. Please read it electronically, if possible. Managers and supervisors are asked to share the message each week with employees who do not have email access.

If you have a disability and need this message to be provided to you in another format, please send an email to dhs.forms@state.or.us, or call (503) 947-5107. You can also fax your request to (503) 373-7690, or call (503) 947-5080 for TTY service. If you know of others who need this accommodation, please let them know it is available.