Oregon's Crisis Care Guidelines Invited Discrimination. We Successfully Fought for Stronger Protections.

A gleaming white hallway of a clinic with floor to ceiling windows. Health providers are in the background. Photo credit: iStock.

Oregon's new crisis care principles ban discrimination

Since the pandemic began, Oregonians with disabilities have been pushing for stronger protections against discrimination in the state’s crisis care guidelines. Earlier this month, State leaders heard our calls for change and acted.

In May, we brought together a coalition of organizations representing people with disabilities, communities of color, and older adults to file a Federal Office for Civil Rights complaint over discriminatory provisions of Oregon crisis care guidelines. (Oregon health care policy invites discrimination, civil rights groups allege, Street Roots, May 15)

Stronger protections to ensure equal care

In response to our legal advocacy, earlier this month, the Oregon Health Authority replaced its crisis care guidance with principles intended to prevent discrimination.

This means, if our hospitals become overwhelmed and you need treatment, a bed, or a ventilator, you won’t be disadvantaged just because you have a disability. (Oregon officials revamp crisis-care guidelines as coronavirus cases spike, The Oregonian, December 10)